Peony Employment Agency Ltd.

Item	New Helpers	Terminated Helpers
Application time	About 2~3 months (for the review and approval of the consulate and the Immigration Department)	About 2 weeks
Available number	More	Less (because the foreign domestic helper can find a new employer within 14 days after the termination of Employment Contract)
Recruitment method	View helper data/clip or video talk, at a great risk for selecting a wrong helper	Field interview and appraisal. Reveal every particular behavior, no feeling of long-distance decision; and contact his/her previous employer to understand relevant information
Adaptation period	Learn every relevant matter from the beginning, and normally adapt through long time	Due to the work in Hong Kong for more than two years, they well know the life habits of Hong Kong people, understand how to conduct domestic duties in Hong Kong way, and easily adapt to new job
Returning to the place of origin for vacation	After the completion of two-year Employment Contract	Possibly within the first year of Employment Contract
Obedience	Not familiar with everything after just arrival at a new place, not become smart or bad; and thus highly obedient	A certain work experience, possible argumentation/loafing on the job, more haggling, and less obedient
Work performance	Necessary guidance and follow-up of every relevant matter by the employer, and adapt through a long time	A certain work experience, a certain work competence, and less guidance/training by the employer
Work enthusiasm	Normally diligent	More haggling, bring the past bad habits to the employer, and frequently phone call the friends
Language communication	Speak a little Cantonese, and necessary teaching through a certain time	Communicate with Cantonese

Now, Hong Kong people mainly employ the domestic helpers from Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Nepal (more than 50% from Indonesia). Most new Philippine/Nepalese helpers know only English, and Indonesian/Thai helpers have received trained by Cantonese training. Therefore, if the employer does not know English at all or if the employer needs the Helper to care old people, it is more suitable to employ Indonesian helpers.

Young and older helpers have equal advantages and disadvantages. The employer can decide according to household state and employment need.

Household	Applicable Age	Advantages	Disadvantages
Care of infant	25~40 years old	Experienced child-rearing, and sufficient physical power	Slow adaptation
Care of teenager	< 25 years old	Young, vigorous, quick adaptation, and easy child communication	Insufficient experience
Care of old/ sick/ wounded people	40~50 years old	Sympathetic and easy understanding with old people, and more patient	Slow response and slower adaptation
Conduct of domestic duties	< 40 years old	The employer is chosen more, the Helper is easy to be competent	Possible inadaptability to the change of household state or helper’s responsibilities

Most employers like the foreign domestic helpers at or above middle school level, but dislike those originally living in mountainous area. The Helper of higher education level is normally better at matter handling, adaptability, learning ability, communication and home hygiene awareness. Philippine helpers above junior college level are a better choice, if the employer needs a helper of higher English level. However, they may work not so diligently, haggle frequently, and like job-hopping. Moreover, they may have strong self-esteem so as not to compromise or accept unreasonable criticism.

The Helper preferably ever worked in the employers with the same state as your household, so as to more quickly adapt to the work in your household.

The employer shall carefully read the background materials of the Helper, view his/her intention for new employer, and verify whether his/her family background justifies the work in Hong Kong. These factors can determine his/her future work attitude, and conclude whether he/she can abide by the law, become loyal and fulfill his/own duties. Despite the complete choice by the employer, the Helper will become more enthusiastic and less job-hopping if he/she work in a household of his/her own intention.

The Helper may be affected by habits and customs of his/her country, which shall be clearly knew by the employer. For example, Philippine helpers normally join church party every Sunday. For religion cause, some Indonesian helpers wear turban for long time or chant scriptures at fixed time of every day; some Indonesian helpers do not eat or even touch pork; but most Indonesian helpers are willing to touch pork and follow the daily life habits of the employer at no special requirements. The employer shall decide by himself/herself whether to accept such factors. The employer shall respect the belief of the Helper, and the unnecessary conflict can be avoided through mutual respect.

Both the husband and the wife shall jointly select the Helper. A beautiful or young good-stature helper is more attractive for the husband, and may cause an affection dispute.