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Post by baedaebok on Feb 18, 2012 12:29:04 GMT
I posted this message a few days ago but it seemed to have disappeared. I didn't think it was controversial but dealt with a subject that has affected a number of friends who live in the Aramco camp in Dhahran. I think this topic is appropriate in 2 ways: (1) a warning to new arrivals to be wary with hiring housemaids already in the KSA; (2) prevent this particular housemaid from hurting/exploiting others.
A family who I've for awhile in the camp hired a housemaid to help around the house (not live-in). This housemaid charged SR3700/month. She kept asking for more money and treated the wife (who hired her) terribly. The housemaid wouldn't listen to what she was saying, etc. So, she ended her contract and asked her to leave. This housemaid apparently had exploited another new arrivals (asking for SR1000 to watch their kids for one day).
I believe this housemaid is a menace to people in the camp and should be blacklisted. How can this be done?
BDB
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Post by Carolina on Feb 18, 2012 12:40:16 GMT
o
The simple answer to this is to do this by word of mouth - in a similar point to find someone good to look after your house, your children and your animals ASK AROUND - that is the only way - we are not in Dhahran but I checked around very carefully before taking on someone - we chose to not have a maid as we too had heard about certain things about them but then again to be fair there are some good maids but of course they are very much sought after.
I just about could not beleive that this maid was being paid 3,700 SAR oh my !
So in the end we took on a new house boy - he had been a gardener before so it took months to train him but he is now up and running very well and we pay him a very good and fair wage and he keeps our house very clean, he is punctual and polite and is extremely honest - very sorry to hear about this awful situation but unfortuantely it does happen - I have lived in a lot of countries so fortunately I have a good idea about hiring good help etc.
So as I have said ASK AROUND as much as you can.
All the very best pity you do not live here on RT as I happen to know of an excellent house boy looking for a job.
Good Luck
Carolina
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Post by Speedy53 on Feb 18, 2012 14:23:09 GMT
When we get close (tickets in hand) I will need some referrals! Go to orientation on Tuesday.
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Post by Carolina on Feb 18, 2012 16:32:53 GMT
o I have now had time to think again about the problem with this house maid - best would be to find her sponsor and make a complaint etc but on reflection the best way to deal with this is word of mouth.
Good Luck
Carolina
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Post by David_and_Nita on Feb 20, 2012 2:18:57 GMT
Make a complaint? Get real. This problem has been yzed thoroughly.
Solution to any and all potential housemaid issues:
(1) Raise your own kids
(2) Clean your own house
It is a sure and tried and true fact that you wont have these problems. Otherwise - the score is housemaid 2-0 and I am not hearing or seeing that any crime has been committed.
LOL
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Ann
Member
Posts: 10
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Post by Ann on Feb 20, 2012 5:42:36 GMT
I am responding to the last post, I totally agree with the 2 points you raised about raising one's kids and also cleaning your house yourself. However, there may be some reasons why people employ maids, the few people I know who have them either are new mothers or have more than 3 kids living at home who are less than 10 years or so.
House work could be very demanding in these two situations. Many mothers in these situations and more wish to volunteer in schools or other capacities and are not able to if they don't have house helps. I know if these women were outside KSA where hiring housemaids is expensive, they would have to cope, but now they are more financially able to pay for one, so why not, at least for a period of time.
Personally, I don't have one and we have trained our kids to join my hubby and I in house chores. Once in a while, I also get the Aramco houseboys to do some cleaning.
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Post by Richard S on Feb 20, 2012 9:11:33 GMT
In reply to Dave & Nita and Ann
I'm busy working 8 hours every weekday does that mean I should have a housemaid to do my housework :lol:
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Post by Carolina on Feb 20, 2012 10:10:29 GMT
o Since I was 8 years old I have done housework, cleaning etc as my mother at the time was terminally ill and now I am in my mid fifties and ever since I have lived as an expat have always had help - why not  I know people here on RT that also even have a cook - why not keeps these good people in jobs after all that is what we are all here for work and money also to hopefully enjoy what KSA has to offer. I have worked all my life full time and now I work from home at all odd hours translation work for a company based in London - I have my house boy here 5 days a week i.e. 4 hours a day and I would be lost without him and for us as a family it works well - before I came here as my husband was here for two years he spent his whole weekend cleaning, cooking and ironing as he did not like the laundry service here and then he had no time for what he really wanted to do and now he and I do thanks to our wonderful house boy - so personally we have a balance - I still do all the laundry and kitchen and cooking but he does all the heavy stuff and is great at ironing that I find difficult and he is great with our cats. When we are on repat/vacation our house boy then lives in to take care of our cats so we are very lucky and we never stop forgetting that! We also pay him well above the avee wage here but it shows to him our appreciation etc. Carolina |
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Post by David_and_Nita on Feb 20, 2012 12:22:41 GMT
..........
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Post by Twofeets on Feb 20, 2012 13:00:21 GMT
Carolina,
Our houseboy has been a Godsend, thanks again for the reference. Trying to balance self reliability with work, family time, etc can be tough, but even just a few hours a week really makes things easier with a new baby, coaching swim team, work, etc.
As to the bad housemaid, word of mouth is the best. You can report her but I doubt the sponser will do much as he will lose money by sending her back. Aramco cant do much unless a crime is committed, but if she truely over charging and completely rude a good smear campaign will work wonders lol. (I hate to be mean, but it sounds like she deserves it).
Good Luck!
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Post by Carolina on Feb 20, 2012 14:04:52 GMT
o Twofeet
Thanks for the thumbs up! yes I thought our house boy would work out well for you - he is such a lovely person and a really hard worker.
All the best
Carolina
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I know people here on RT that also even have a cook - why not keeps these good people in jobs after all that is what we are all here for work and money also to hopefully enjoy what KSA has to offer.