Today’s helpers go beyond chores — many also provide eldercare, childcare and emotional support for families in need.
THE Lim family had eagerly anticipated the arrival of their second baby, but they were completely caught off guard by her premature birth.
Mrs Lim was rushed to the hospital one night and delivered her baby two months early and had to recuperate for two months at a confinement centre.
The sudden curve ball caused turmoil in the Lim household as Mr Lim was too busy with work to care for their elder daughter who was only three years old.
Luckily their domestic helper, Ida, quickly took on the responsibility of caring for their elder daughter. Although initially hired only for cooking and housekeeping, Ida stepped up. She did a good job of caring for the little girl, managing meals and keeping the house in order.
Every day, Ida would send updates to Mrs Lim with photos, messages and descriptions of the child’s daily activities. This greatly eased Mrs Lim’s worries and she was able to recuperate and also care for her premature baby.
On the day Mrs Lim was discharged, Ida and the little girl surprised her with a handmade bouquet of paper flowers and a heartfelt handwritten letter. Mrs Lim was moved to tears.
“Our home was on the verge of falling apart but Ida held everything together through her initiatives. She wasn’t just our helper — she was my daughter’s guardian angel and a true blessing in one of the most vulnerable moments of my life,” said Mrs Lim.
There are increasingly more and more nuclear families like the Lims who are unable to access help and support from their extended family. Having a reliable domestic helper is crucial not only to maintain their household daily but also as a source of reliable help in trying times.
The Lims deeply value their Ida’s role in supporting them with their children. She has developed a rapport and closeness to their daughters. Over time, they have come to trust Ida with their children’s care as she has proven to be capable and reliable.
“Over the years, the demand for domestic help services has evolved significantly. In the past, most employers focused purely on basic household chores.
“But more families are looking for more specialised and reliable domestic workers - helpers who can not only handle cleaning and cooking but also provide childcare, eldercare and emotional support,” said Agensi Pekerjaan Jaya Baru manager Ng Chee Ying.
The agency assists their clients in procuring domestic workers through legal channels and also in applying for new permits and renewing them. But beyond helping to navigate the bureaucracy and red tapes of hiring a maid, Agensi Pekerjaan Jaya Baru is also focused on matching families with the most suitable helpers by improving recruitment standards and offering professional training.
The agency also advises clients on how to manage their domestic helpers.
“Times have changed. In the past, domestic workers were generally simple, obedient and easy to manage. But as society and technology have advanced, so have the personalities and expectations of today’s domestic helpers. This is a reality we must acknowledge and adapt to.
“Many employers still manage domestic helpers using outdated methods.
“However, in today’s context, that approach is no longer effective. At our agency, we guide and educate employers on how to manage and interact with domestic helpers using respectful and effective methods,” said Ng, who added that clients must also manage their expectations and understand domestic helpers only have basic training.
Ng (standing, centre) and his team at Agensi Pekerjaan Jaya Baru. The company is focused on matching families with the most suitable helpers by improving recruitment standards and offering professional training.
Every household has different routines, expectations and standards, so when a new helper enters a home, she still needs time to adapt and learn.
“At Agensi Pekerjaan Jaya Baru, we believe in honesty and clear communication. We explain the truth to our clients so they are mentally and emotionally prepared to guide the domestic helper during the initial adjustment period.
“We also support employers by giving practical tips and advice on how to communicate clearly, train patiently and build a respectful relationship with their helper. This helps reduce misunderstandings and makes it easier for the helper to settle in and perform better.”
Ng said their agency operates its own recruitment centres overseas, which gives them the advantage of personally interviewing, selecting and observing each domestic helper.
“We do our best to understand which type of work each candidate is most suitable for. We also guide every client throughout the selection process to help them choose a domestic helper who best fits their family’s needs.”
For more information, visit Agensi Pekerjaan Jaya Baru’s website
