Saturday, 22 June 2013

Renew Philippine Maid Passport

Steps in Renewing Filipino Maid Passport

Details of the step in renewing Filipino Maid Passport can be found in Philippine Embassy websitehttp://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg/consular/passport/application-renewal/
Frequently Asked Questions about renewing Filipino maid passport can be found in the following links

Processing Time

It will take about 8 weeks.

Cost of Renewing Passport

It is about $102.

Renew Passport Through Maid Agency

Because of the verified employment contract issue and the time consuming process involve, many employer opt to use maid agency to avoid the paperwork and queue.
Cost of renewing the passport through agency may be at about $400. Please check with your maid agency for details.
Please be noted also that your maid has to go down personally to the embassy to renew her passport even you engage a maid agency to help you.

Monday, 17 June 2013

Interview a maid-Sample Questions

Interviewing a maid is probably the most important step in selecting a good maid. Through the interview, you may be able to tell whether the maid can communicate with you using English, whether she has the right set of skills to work for you and whether she is motivated to work as a domestic helper. You can also find out some other information that will be crucial for you to make a decision.
Below are some sample questions. After each questions, we also try to provide the rational for the question.

Motivation Related Questions - Interview a Maid

  • Why you want to work in Singapore? (Motivation related question)
  • Why you want to transfer? (For transfer maid)
  • Why you want to work as a domestic helper? (Motivation related)
  • Do you need to remit money back home monthly? (If yes, it could mean she needs money and may therefore be more motivated and focused to work)
  • Do you need to support your family financially? (same as point 4)

Skills and Experience - Interview a Maid

  • What can you cook? Can you tell us how to prepare item 1? (for the items she mentions, pick one item and ask her to illustrate how to prepare that item)
  • What could you do if you think my child need to be scolded and punished?

(A) FOR EXPERIENCED MAID

  • What do you do in your previous employer's house? (To know her experience in details)
  • How many people are there in your previous employer's house and who are they? (to check whether she has the skill to take care of baby or elderly)
  • What will you do if my child crys non-stop and I am not around? (You can give her a few situations like this to answer. It can show whether she is really experienced in handling baby.)
  • How to make baby sleep at night? (Same as point 3)

(B)FOR NEW MAID

  • Do you need to do housework at home? (If she has never do any housework before, I do not think she is qualified to work as a domestic helper)
  • Do you have children at home? (Whether she has taken care of children before)
  • Do you like kid and are you willing to learn how to take care of kid? (This question is for single maid who probably may have zero experience in taking care of kid)

Her Job and Duty (Your House Conditions) - Interview a Maid

(It is good to let maid know what she can be expected. If she shows some unpleasant mood when you mention certain duty or job, better avoid that maid)
  • I have one baby who is 4 months old and she will wake up once at midnight and you will need to feed her.
  • Currently I have 5 people in the house and four months later, we are going to have one more kid. Will the duty be too heavy for you?
  • I need you to wake up at six in the morning to prepare breakfast for my kid? Is 6am too early for you?

Concerns that maid may need to go back home before the expiration of contract

  • Do you have sibling? Where are they? (Sometimes, if their parents fall sick and she is the only child, she may need to return home to take care of parents)
  • Do you have boy friend, when do you plan to get married? (if within 2 years, then the maid may need to go back for marriage)
  • What are you most concerned/worried about back home ?

Employee-Employer Relationship - Interview a Maid

Many maids run away because of poor communication with employer. It is good to have a maid that can tell you that she needs help or face problem. As a employer, you should try to help out whenever possible, this can avoid the lose-lose situation where the maid runs away and hide at some charities.
  • What would you do if you are not happy with us?
  • What do you expect from us?
  • What would you do if you think you have too many things to handle?
  • What is your definition of a good employer?
  • Will you share with us any unhappiness or difficulty that you face?

Use of Hand phone - Interview a Maid

Usage of hand phone creates many conflicts in many maid-employer relationship and you better have an agreement with the maid on this before signing the deal)
  • We understand you need to use the hand phone to communicate with family members, friends or others. When do you think is an appropriate time for you to use it? When do you think it is inappropriate for you to use?

Other General Questions - Interview a Maid

  • Can you describe your daily work activity like what time you wake up and what you do?
  • What do you think a good domestic helper should possess?
  • What is your strength as a good domestic helper?
  • For transfer maid, you may ask why she wants to leaves her current employer?

Miscellaneous Questions - Interview a Maid

  • Do you practice any religion? (You need to know this so that you will know whether your maid needs to abstain from certain foods)
  • Do you have any medical conditions? Do you take any medications?"(You will be responsible for all medical expense of your maid)

Sunday, 9 June 2013

Pregnancy and Due Date Calculator

Please click Pregnancy and Due Date Calculator to calculate your due date and conception date

Hospital Contact, Maternity Package and Tour

Source: Hospital Contact, Maternity Package and Tour

1.Thomson Medical Center

(a)Hospital Main Contact Number, Address and Email
Tel: 6250 2222
Email: contact@thomsonmedical.com
Address: 339 Thomson Road S307677
(b) Maternity Package
Maternity Package Enquiry
Tel: 6358 0055/6350 8876
Email: membership@thomsonmedical.com
Maternity Package Information Online
http://www.thomsonmedical.com/maternity-packages/
(c)Hospital Tour
Booking Number: 6358 0055/ 6350 8876
Mondays - Fridays at 11:00 am and 2:30 pm
Saturdays at 10:00 am and 12:00 pm
Virtual Tour of Hospital
http://www.thomsonmedical.com/virtualtour/index.html

2. Kandang Kerbau Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH)

(a)Hospital Main Contact Number, Address and Email
Tel: 6225 5554
Email: centralappt@kkh.com.sg
Address: 100 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 229899
(b) Maternity Package
Maternity Package Enquiry
1: http://www.kkh.com.sg/ContactUs/Pages/MaternityPackageEnquiry.aspx
2: maternity_package@kkh.com.sg
Maternity Package Information Online
http://www.kkh.com.sg/Services/Women/MaternityServices/Pages/Home.aspx

3. National University Hospital

(a)Hospital Main Contact Number, Address and Email
Tel: 6779 5555 (24-Hr)
Email: NUH_Enquiries@nuhs.edu.sg
Address: 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119074
(b) Maternity Package
Maternity Package Enquiry
Tel: : 6772 2255 / 2277
Email: Womens_Clinic@nuhs.edu.sg
Maternity Package Information Online
http://www.nuhgynae.com.sg/cos/o.x?c=/wbn/pagetree&func=view&rid=1056785
(c)Hospital Tour
Booking Number: 6772 2255 / 2277
Time: First and Third Wednesday of the month

4. Raffles Hospital

(a)Hospital Main Contact Number, Address and Email
Tel: 6311 1111
Email: enquiries@rafflesmedical.com
Address: 585 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188770
(b) Maternity Package
Maternity Package Information Online
http://rafflesmedicalgroup.com/hospital/inpatient-and-maternity-guide/delivery-packages.aspx
(c)Hospital Tour
Time: Monday 4pm, Wednesday 11am and Saturday 2:30pm Please be at Business Office Located at Level 8 of Raffles Hospital

5. Parkway East Hospital

(a)Hospital Main Contact Number, Address and Email
Tel: 6344 7588
Email: pepac@parkway.sg
Address: 321 Joo Chiat Place Singapore 427990
(b) Maternity Package
Maternity Package Enquiry
Tel: 6377 3737
Email: parkwayeastmaternitytour@parkway.sg
Maternity Package Information Online
http://parkwayeast.com.sg/en/Facilities-Services/Specialties-and-Packages/Packages/Maternity-Package
(c)Hospital Tour
Booking Number: 6340 8675 /6377 3737
Time: Monday to Friday : 2:30pm; Saturday: 10am.

6. Mount Alvernia Hospital

(a)Hospital Main Contact Number, Address and Email
Tel: 63476688
Email: enquiry@mtalvernia-hospital.org
Address: 820 Thomson Road, Singapore 574623
(b) Maternity Package
Maternity Package Enquiry
Tel: : 6347 6788
Email: enquiry@mtalvernia-hospital.org
Maternity Package Information Online
http://www.mtalvernia-hospital.org/Maternity-Packages.asp
(c)Hospital Tour
Booking Number: 6347 6788
Time: Monday to Friday: 2:30pm; Saturday: 10am and 12pm

7. Singapore General Hospital

(a)Hospital Main Contact Number, Address and Email
Tel: 6222 3322
Address: Outram Road, Singapore 169608
(b) Maternity Package
Maternity Package Enquiry
Tel: : 6326 5923
Maternity Package Information Online
http://www.sgh.com.sg/clinical-departments-centers/obstetrics-gynaecology/pages/maternityandantenatalcharges.aspx
(c)Hospital Tour
Booking Number: 63265920
Time: Monday to Friday: 11:30am and 3pm

8. Gleneagles Hospital

(a)Hospital Main Contact Number, Address and Email
Tel: 65 6473 7222
Email: ipac@parkway.sg
Address: Napier Road, Singapore 258500
(b) Maternity Package
Maternity Package Enquiry
Tel: : 6575 7575
Maternity Package Information Online
http://gleneagles.com.sg/en/Specialties-and-Specialised-Services/Medical-Specialties/Obstetrics-Gynaecology
(c)Hospital Tour
Time: Monday to Friday: 1pm; Saturday: 11am and 1pm

9 .Mount Elizabeth Hospital

(a)Hospital Main Contact Number, Address and Email
Tel: 65 6473 7222
Address: 3 Mt Elizabeth 228510
(b) Maternity Package
Maternity Package Enquiry
Tel: : 6731-2133
Maternity Package Information Online
http://mountelizabeth.com.sg/en/Facilities-Services/Specialties-and-Specialised-Services/Clinical-Programme/Women-and-Children
(c)Hospital Tour
Booking Number: 6731 2921

Saturday, 8 June 2013

Renew Passport For Indonesian Maid

Documents and Photographs Required

(a) Original and Photocopy of following items are required
1. Maid's Passport
2. Work Permit Card
3. Employer's I.C.
4. Dully completed PERDIM 11 form, which can be downloaded here
(b) Photograph
2 recently taken passport-sized photograph are required. (It can be taken at the Embassy)

Renew Passport For Indonesia Maid - Processing Fees

$35, Payment By Cash Only. The fee must be paid by the employer, not by maid.

Contact Details of Embassy of The Republic of Indonesia in Singapore

No. 7 Chatsworth Road, Singapore 249761
Tel. (65) 6737 7422
Fax. (65) 6737 5037 / 6235 5783
Homepage: www.kbrisingapura.sg
Email:info@indonesianembassy.sg

Take Note of the Following in Renewing Indonesian Maid's Passport

1. The employer and the maid must go together to the embassy.
2. The renewal service is only available from 9am to 12 noon at the embassy.
3. Dress Code: When visiting the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Singapore, please wear proper attire. You are not allowed to wear (a) Shorts and sleeveless shirt (except children under 12 years old). (b)Singlet or strapless top.(c)Sandals are also not allowed.

Passport Renewal Process

1. Arrive early at the embassy to avoid long queue.
2. Get a queue number from counter for passport renewal
3. maid to complete the passport renewal form
4. submit the document all altogether and make the payment of $35 by cash
5. after officer checked that all document are in order, you will be asked to do the work agreement.
6. interview by an officer, usually they will ask about maid's salary, number of days off and day off compensation if the maid is asked to work on off-day.
7. sign on the work agreement.
8. collect the new passport three days later

Renew maid's work permit

Before you renew maid's work permit

Check the following before you renew your maid's work permit
1. You have received letter from MOM (Ministry of Manpowr) letter with renewal application form, MOM will usually send the letter one month before the expiration of your maid's current work permit.
2. Medical checkup of the maid is done not more than 5 months ago.
3. Maid's passport is valid for 7 months or more.
4. Negotiate with maid for salary and benefit for the next 2 years. If the duration of home leave is not stated in the contract signed before. You may also need to negotiate with the maid on the duration of home leave.

Steps in renewing maid's work permit

Step 1. Buy Personal Accident Insurance, Medical Insurance for maid and Security Bond
You can do this with many insurance companies such as NTUC Income, AXA, AIA, Great Eastern Life, MSIG.
Step 2. Using your SINGPASS Login to work permit online for employer at MOM website athttp://mom.gov.sg/foreign-manpower/passes-visas/work-permit-fdw/before-you-apply/Pages/default.aspx
Step 3: fill in all the necessary information requested and make the payment of $10.
Step 4: Check the status of the application on the next few days. If approved, note down the date when you can collect the work permit card.
Step 5: Collect the work permit card at MOM counter at the exact day mention in step 4.

House Rules For Your Maid

General House Rules For Maids

1. Do not do any part-time job during your off-day. It is against the law in Singapore.
2. Do not lie to us.
3. Do not bring other people into the house.
4. Do not leave the house without our permission.
5. Do inform us when you go out during your off-day.
6. Be at home before 10pm during your off-day.
7. You can only use hand phone after baby fall asleep at night. Remember to switch your phone to silent mode so as not to wake up our baby.
8. If there is any misunderstanding or miscommunication, try to explain to us, but do not argue or shout.
9. Ask for permission before you enter master room.
10. If you make mistake, do let us know honestly.
11. If you need to use house phone, ask for our permission.
12. Try not to talk to men outside.

Employer- Maid Relationship

1. We will reward you for good performance.
2. Do share with us if you encounter any difficulty.
3. If you want to send money home, let us know and we will help you send the money back home.
4. Do not compare with other maids.
5. If there are too many things for you to handle, do let us know and we will work it out with you.
6. Do talk to us when you are not feeling well, we will take you to see doctor.

Housework Related Rules For Maids

1. Always exercise care when you are doing any housework.
2. Do not clean exterior of the window when you are alone. Only clean exterior of the window when Madam is at home to help you.
3. Try to remember our preference.
4. If there is anything you are unsure or do not know how to do, do not be afraid to ask us first.
5. if any of the groceries, household items in the house is about to finish, let us know so that we can buy it when we go to supermarket.
6. Do not leave knives, scissors, detergent or washing powder lying around or in a place that can be reached by children.

Laundry and Cooking Related Rule For Maids

1. Check clothes pocket before putting them into washing machine.
2. Do not dry clothes in the kitchen while you are cooking.
3. Wash all the clothes at night.
4. Wash hand before you touch the food.
5. separate raw meat, vegetable from cooked food.
6. Always keep the food clean and fresh.

Taking Care Of Baby

1. If you think our baby or child needs to be disciplined, let us know.
2. Do not hit children.
3. Do watch our baby closely when he plays at the playground.
4. Always hold our children's hand when cross the road.
5. Clean baby's toys every night after he falls asleep.
6. Do let us know when baby get hurt when you are taking care of him.

Others Rules For Maids

1. Dress properly when we go out together.
2. sleeveless, low cut tops and shorts are not allowed in the house.