Taking Filipino maid to Oz.

[Paul N]

Anyone know (definitively) what I have to do to take my maid to Oz with us on the family holiday?  Visas, etc.

Phil M, hold your tongue on Dorothy and the Wiz references.

[Bull God]

Marry Her

[JamesM]

it can be done. you'll need to fill out some forms, but we managed to get a 31-day visa for ours when we went back for vacation. just ring the consulate.

[sjl]

I have to ask the question: why does anyone want to take their maid on vacation? This should be a time to get closer to your family, not for dumping the kids with the maid while the parents do other stuff.

In my experience the Australians are a pretty egalitarian, family oriented, crowd, and will not be impressed by people travelling with servants.

If you are doing it for the maid's sake, try asking her which she would rather do: spend time with you down under, or visit her family back home.

Just my view - it's a free world (for some).

[Anna]

Don't forget, it's a holiday for the parents, too!  And the maid may well like to have a look at Australia.  Not to mention the fact that she may be very fond of the kids, and vice versa.  While some maids are certainly exploited, many others are well cared for and even loved by their families ... ever thought of that?

[Paul N]

Anna,

Thank you for saying that...it saves me the effort.

1.  Maid is more excited to go than we are.
2.  Grandparents are coming...the only time the maid will have with the boys is for two or three hours out of the trip while we are diving.
3.  Maid is going to have to put up with being wined and dined with the rest of us.
4.  Maid will be packing for her trip to the PI soon after our return, as she will be spending Christmas with her family, showing them her photos of Australia.
5.  Hoping the Australians there are as cool as the Australians we have met here.  Not even trying to impress them with a maid.

Exploiting her...don't think so.  But thanks for jumping to your own conclusions and taking me to task with not so much as a shred of knowledge of the situation.  I hope the information I provided clarifies the situation.

[This message has been edited by Paul N (edited 07-10-2000).]

[sulli]

Paul

Good on you for taking your maid with you.
We lived in Penang for 2yrs and our friends there took there maid with them to Aussie for a holiday and guess who had the best time out of everyone the MAID.
It's your business to do what you like with your life and family and i feel you don"t need to justify yourself to anyone, so you go and allof you have a wonderful holiday, which I'm sure you will

[sjl]

My question was prompted by a recent experience on a flight returning to Singapore where a family were travelling with the parents in business class and the helper and children in coach. The parents ( especially the father) obviously resented any disturbance from either the kids or the helper. It was none of my business, but for some reason it offended me. Obviously from your response this will not be the situation in your case.

We have had four Filipina helpers in a period of over 20 years and have had excellent relationships with all of them. Our current helper transferred here with us from Hong Kong. Our practice has generally been to allow them to go home and visit their own children (paid for by us)at the same time as we have gone on vacation to enjoy time with ours. I find it somewhat inhumane to expect mothers to only see their own children for two weeks every two years. Admitedly, one had no children, but was still very keen to see her family. We all returned refreshed and the kids appreciated the helper more since we did not fuss over them as much as the helpers did.

However, from the strength and number of replies I am obviously in the minority. I hope you, your family and your helper have a great vacation in Oz. You couldn't pick a better destination.

[sjl]

My question was prompted by a recent experience on a flight returning to Singapore where a family were travelling with the parents in business class and the helper and children in coach. The parents ( especially the father) obviously resented any disturbance from either the kids or the helper. It was none of my business, but for some reason it offended me. Obviously from your response this will not be the situation in your case.

We have had four Filipina helpers in a period of over 20 years and have had excellent relationships with all of them. Our current helper transferred here with us from Hong Kong. Our practice has generally been to allow them to go home and visit their own children (paid for by us)at the same time as we have gone on vacation to enjoy time with ours. I find it somewhat inhumane to expect mothers to only see their own children for two weeks every two years. Admitedly, one had no children, but was still very keen to see her family. We all returned refreshed and the kids appreciated the helper more since we did not fuss over them as much as the helpers did.

However, from the strength and number of replies I am obviously in the minority. I hope you, your family and your helper have a great vacation in Oz. You couldn't pick a better destination.

[Canuck]

Only place better than Oz is Canada so if you get a chance take her there too! Not only is it very easy to get a visa (there is a formal programme that allows them easy access to work permits there so no incentive to go in illegally) and they love the fresh air and friendly people. Best smile I ever saw was on the face of our helper who touched snow for the first time!