Where to Hire a Domestic Helper
Looking for a domestic helper to lessen the workload at home? Here's where to find one.
Arrow
Arrow is a reputable agency established in 2005 by Allan and Lone Smith. It aims to be a helpful bridge between employers and workers, with a team in the Philippines that works to evaluate and train applicants and prepare them for Hong Kong. The company offers new employer orientation classes and several other resources.
Room 1603B, Sunbeam Commercial Building, 469-471 Nathan Rd., Yau Ma Tei, 2151-1125, arrowes.hk
Bandung Enterprises
A member of the employment agents association, Bandung Enterprises offers extensive services for domestic helpers—such as arranging documents and visa fees for registration at the consulate, HKID application assistance, medical checkups upon arrival, plus language and cooking classes. A two-year follow-up service is also included.
Room 1004, Hua Qin International Building, 340 Queen’s Rd. Central, 2851-0138, www.bandung.com.hk
Fair Employment Agency
A non-profit organization working to connect employers and helpers, Fair Employment Agency tackles the problem of exploitation of foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong. The agency does not charge helpers placement fees, and also helps employers find a helper suited to their needs.
Unit 282, 12/F, Ping Lam Commercial Building, 280-282 Lockhart Rd., Wan Chai, 3568-6858, www.fairagency.org
Maid For You
Run by four expat women, Maid For You does all the legwork for you in the complicated hiring process. It offers employers personalized package services, which include interviewing potential helpers, hiring and training, plus tips and advice in between.
www.maidforyou.com.hk
Helper Choice
Don’t want to deal with a middleman? Established in 2012, Helper Choice is a growing website in Hong Kong for employers searching for domestic helpers. Employers can put up ads detailing what they’re looking for, and workers can also create profiles that include their personal details—like a LinkedIn for domestic workers. Employers can learn more about workers through their profiles before deciding to reach out. There’s a $290 charge for employers looking to advertise, but for potential domestic helpers looking for work, it’s free.
www.helperchoice.com
Lotus Employment Agency
Lotus Employment Agency offers comprehensive information to employers before they begin the hiring process. Founded a decade ago, Lotus is experienced with the application process from the pre-selection to visa and arrival arrangement stages. There’s a worker search function on its website for you to get a better idea of the available candidates. There are branches in Causeway Bay, Prince Edward, Mong Kok and Kowloon City.
Room C, 6/F, Guangdong Tours Centre, 18 Pennington St., Causeway Bay, 2577-6111, www.lotusmaid.com.hk
Fairmaid
A sister company of Maid For You, Fairmaid offers a database of helpers that you can peruse at your leisure. Employers pay a registration fee of $400 (or a $100 five-day trial) to access the database, which they can browse through before contacting and interviewing prospective helpers.
fairmaid.com
Overseas Employment Centre
Longstanding agency Overseas Employment Centre was established way back in 1972. Having found helpers for more than 200,000 families in Hong Kong, it is an authority on the subject. OEC helps you find the right domestic worker for your family’s needs, with free follow-up home visits, Chinese cooking classes and translation services during the first year of employment.
Various branches, including 2/F, Commercial House, 35 Queen’s Rd. Central, 2524-6195, www.overseas.com.hk
Technic Employment Service Centre
Technic works with domestic helpers from the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand. The agency offers a package for employers looking to hire, which covers the helper’s flight to Hong Kong, medical checkup expenses, insurance, and assistance with reporting to the consulate—just to name some of the services. There are seven branches across the SAR.
Various branches, including Unit A, 8/F, Man Hing Commercial Building, 79-83 Queen’s Rd. Central, 2522-6162, www.technic.com.hk
