Domestic Helpers from the Philippines: A New Breed of Superheroes
Jun 15th, 2008 by Alice Sy
No less than the President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, brands domestic helpers from the Philippines as supermaids, a term, they, indeed, so richly deserve. These domestic helpers have, for years, endured the loneliness and pain of being far away from home in order to be able to give their families a better life. Because of this, they have been well appreciated and admired by people all over the world.
The pay for domestic helpers in other countries is much higher compared to the salary they would otherwise be receiving in their own country. In the Philippines, a domestic helper who is basically new in the field can earn as much as only $20.00 a month. Those with more experience can earn around $30.00 to roughly just $40.00 a month.
Also, Filipina maids can speak English better than their counterparts from other countries. They can be easily trained, and are fast learners of any foreign language. These qualities of Filipina maids give them the edge when it comes to employment opportunities.
Domestic helpers are the Philippine’s pride anywhere they go; they are never a disappointment. In many countries, it is considered a great achievement to have a Filipino maid in one’s abode.
In Great Britain, for instance, the rich and the famous, including royal families and wealthy businessmen are employing Filipina maids. Likewise, in France and Italy, the same holds true. In Greece, only families belonging to the middle-class and up can afford the pay rate of Filipina maids.
Another skill that these domestic helpers from the Philippines have is their ability to communicate in English. They can speak and understand English fairly better than maids from other countries. For this reason, communicating with their foreign employers does not become a hindrance to the quality of service that they render.
It is not surprising, therefore, that domestic helpers would rather choose to take on jobs away from home, even if that meant leaving their loved ones behind for a long time.
In the United States and elsewhere, there is a seemingly huge demand for domestic helpers from the Philippines. Filipina maids have sterling records when it comes to their dedication and quality of work, and these records have remained unstained up to this very day.