Maids on offer via Internet service

The days of agencies over-charging people who want to hire domestic workers could be over if a new Internet service proves a hit.

But domestic workers say that Amahnet.com, which claims to be the first Hong Kong online domestic helper search service, may not be a good bargain for them.

The service was launched yesterday with some 40 domestic workers already signed up.

Christine Wang Qian, managing director of Amahnet.com, said: 'This free service for employers allows them and domestic helpers to negotiate one-on-one.

'The average agency charges an employer one month of the maid's salary, or around $3,680, while the domestic worker gets charged $400 or at least 10 per cent of one month's wage.

'With Amahnet the domestic workers pay $290 for two months and then $150 a month after that.' But the Mission for Filipino Migrant Workers said it might take a domestic worker longer than two months to find work.