Hi! As a parent of an incoming Year 1 (2023), we would like to form a informal group chat to connect and support parents in their journey with their child in SOTA.


To join the chat group, please fill up this form: https://forms.gle/Tmzk6vQeF7FvCx1W8

Please do share this message with any parents you might know whose children have accepted SOTA's offer. Thank you!

Hi anggie78, sorry I missed your post because I don’t come here regularly. The best way is to PM me and I’ll get notified. Will drop you a pm.

Hi raeshaecheong, preggymom and dancingmama, I've sent you a PM with the agent's contact

pro_circle:

heysugarbug:

Hi ladies, I have been researching over the past week because I intend to bring my former Indonesian maid back. So far, I have spoken to a few agents, some of whom have suggested that she go in through the tourist route. However, my husband and I, as well as our maid are uncomfortable with this idea because there's no real assurance that she can come back in again the next time she goes back to Indonesia (we may travel into the country for vacations and may take her along).


I've had various quotes ranging from $450 - $1800 on agency fees (Singapore side) alone to arrange the direct hire. This does not include any other incidentals on the Indonesian side.

So I've finally settled on one agency who gave me a most reasonable quote, and everything will be done legally. The total expense is about $2.1K and I've negotiated with my helper to co-pay. That means the agent doesn't get any $$$ her. All money matters are liaised through us.

This includes:
a) Singapore agent fees for paperwork
b) Indonesian agent fees
c) KTKLN application (you can save $200 if she has a valid one)
d) Passport renewal/application (you can save about $100-250 if she has a valid one or if she can do it on her own)
e) Mandatory insurance (MOM)
f) Airfare (+/-)

It so happens that my helper's KTKLN and Passport are due for expiry, so I cannot escape that expenditure. Otherwise, we could save about $450.

My maid is not in yet, and we are just starting on the planning and paperwork. So I cannot yet tell about the entire experience. However the agent has been pretty responsive so far and I like his attitude.

HOW IS THE EXPERIENCE???

My maid arrived in Singapore after Christmas. It was generally smooth and I was very happy with the agency. There was a slight delay over on the Indonesian side with their government administration/paperwork and all, but the Singapore agent was very consistent in keeping me updated. It worked both ways - either they called me or I smsed/called them to find out.

In fact, most of my dealings with them was over the phone and never once did they ask me to make any form of payment. Although I was supposed to put in a small deposit, they decided to wait until the whole process was over and I paid them in full. This means that they forked out the money first to pay her airfare, as well as the passport and KTKLN application. Please don't take this as a precedent though. I think it's only fair to pay them a deposit first, but I was impressed that they went this extra mile.

If you'd like the agent's contact, please do PM me as I don't always come to the thread.

Hi breezie80, will drop you a PM.


My Indonesian fdw was successfully brought in through direct hire, and I am very happy with the agency’s services.

Hi En-joy, will pm you

Hi ladies, I have been researching over the past week because I intend to bring my former Indonesian maid back. So far, I have spoken to a few agents, some of whom have suggested that she go in through the tourist route. However, my husband and I, as well as our maid are uncomfortable with this idea because there’s no real assurance that she can come back in again the next time she goes back to Indonesia (we may travel into the country for vacations and may take her along).


I’ve had various quotes ranging from $450 - $1800 on agency fees (Singapore side) alone to arrange the direct hire. This does not include any other incidentals on the Indonesian side.

So I’ve finally settled on one agency who gave me a most reasonable quote, and everything will be done legally. The total expense is about $2.1K and I’ve negotiated with my helper to co-pay. That means the agent doesn’t get any $$$ her. All money matters are liaised through us.

This includes:
a) Singapore agent fees for paperwork
b) Indonesian agent fees
c) KTKLN application (you can save $200 if she has a valid one)
d) Passport renewal/application (you can save about $100-250 if she has a valid one or if she can do it on her own)
e) Mandatory insurance (MOM)
f) Airfare (+/-)

It so happens that my helper’s KTKLN and Passport are due for expiry, so I cannot escape that expenditure. Otherwise, we could save about $450.

My maid is not in yet, and we are just starting on the planning and paperwork. So I cannot yet tell about the entire experience. However the agent has been pretty responsive so far and I like his attitude.

Hi, I too would like to hire my ex-maid back directly. But I am not too sure how and where to start, especially when it comes to legalities. Look forward to more information shared. Thanks!

verykiasu2010:

peapot:

[quote=\"Lynn2010\"]Do you think by saying \"use only after 8pm\" works? I already have to \"watch\" their phone usage.


My ex-maid didnt even ask me if she can have a laptop. She came back one day with one, saying that her boyfriend gave her. She asked if she can use the wireless at home, i said no. I told her she is not allowed to use computer as her job at my house does not require it. She can bring to her boyfriend's house and use it on Sunday.

Facebook, Twitter, etc are very addictive. We are all humans. Just look at our own children and people around us. Many are addicted to it.

They are free to use on Sundays, i dont care how. If they have an iphone, they want to use, they can use it after 8pm at night. My rule is \"Dont ever let me spot them using the phone in the day time\". This is not required as part of their JD

I think these days whatever rules you tell the maid, they don't really bother to listen. Because they know that they can always find another job elsewhere. There is a shortage of maids in Singapore.
Just like my current who is only with me for 2 weeks. I told her off day is every second Sunday of the month but she says no to me because her sister is off only 3rd Sunday. So what do you do? Give in....no choice because if I asked her to leave where do I another replacement without paying for ridiculous high agency fees with no guarantee of quality.

So if one day she wants laptop, do you think the maid gives a hoot of whether employer likes it or not?

That's the reality of life for employers in Singapore.

wow, peapot, cannot recognise u huh.......

best is to get a lowly educated maid, if need be, less headache to train than to manage behavioural problems[/quote]Unfortunately, from what I've learned through personal experience... that is soooo not true. My \"lowly educated\" helper has been giving me one problem after another. I didn't hire her for her educational qualifications (or lack thereof), but rather for her *supposed* honesty. Alas, I have been experiencing one lie after another. She's married in her early twenties, but I have to handle her like a pubescent teenager. But we are also held hostage by the current policies for hiring helpers. And there is no sure guarantee that the next maid will be better, and we'll just end up paying more and more.

$800 for a helper with only 2 years experience? Wow. Personally I doubt any employer would take that risk since there is no guarantee that she’s really good… unless you give her a glowing testimonial, of course. I know I wouldn’t. With the amount of money you’d be spending (est $1.2k-$2k) including her salary, utilities, food, levy and going out expenses (which are all hidden costs)… I reckon you can use this money to engage a local to come to your house daily to clean for you.