SG employer torn over raising maid's salary from S$650 to S$850 as her husband battles cancer
Domestic helper/maid standing in a kitchen
SINGAPORE: An employer is seeking advice on whether she should give her domestic helper a S$200 monthly pay rise after learning that the woman is considering leaving the household for a better-paying job in Malaysia to support her cancer-stricken husband.
Posting in the Complaint Singapore Facebook group on Friday (Nov 6), the employer said her helper had been working for the family for over a year and had been an exceptionally reliable employee.
“She is hardworking, trustworthy, caring, and takes such good care of my family. It's really difficult to find someone like her.”
The employer explained that her helper's husband is battling cancer, leaving the woman struggling to cope with the cost of his medical treatment back home.
The helper recently informed her that she was considering moving to Johor Bahru (JB), where her brother had reportedly found her a job paying around RM3,000 a month, with accommodation provided.
“Currently, I'm paying her S$650 per month. She hopes to earn around S$1,000, which I honestly cannot afford. She is holding a Singapore Work Permit, and I'm also unsure whether she can easily move to Malaysia for employment. She mentioned that she has already paid an agency to arrange a job repairing bicycles.”
The employer admitted that she was torn over what to do. Although she was reluctant to part ways with a helper she considered exceptionally good, she also understood why the woman needed to seek better-paying employment to support her husband and family.
“My question to everyone is: If you were in my position, would you increase her salary from S$650 to S$850 just to keep her? Would you stretch your family budget to retain a really good helper, or would you let her go so she could pursue a better income? We have our own financial commitments too, and an increase of S$200 every month is not a small amount for us.”
“Honestly, my heart wants to keep her, but my mind keeps reminding me about our budget. I also don't want to stop her from having a better future, especially when her husband is seriously ill. What would you do if you were in my shoes? I would really appreciate some honest advice.”
‘Her heart is no longer here’
Most commenters felt the employer should let the helper go instead of stretching her budget, saying she should not feel obliged to raise the pay just because she is satisfied with the helper's work.
One said there was little reason to offer a pay rise after just a year of employment: “No, I won't increase. Let her go. I won't adjust for her convenience. I always believe I can always find a replacement, and I can always train the helper. If she stays 3 years or 5 years, I can adjust. But just a year, it's a nope. Let her go.”
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Another warned that agreeing to a raise now could set a precedent for future pay demands: “If you give in now, there might be a chance that she will ask for more from time to time, knowing that you favour and need her more. There is a risk for that which you may wish to take into consideration.”
A third added, “Let her go if you do not plan to increase her salary. ASAP. Her heart is no longer here. The longer this drags out, the more likely she may play games.”
Others, however, thought there might still be room for compromise, with one suggesting the employer offer to compensate the helper for working on her rest days as a way to raise her take-home pay.
“I will negotiate with the helper. Probably ask her if she minds working on her off day, and her off day will be compensated with cash.”/TISG