“That’s a Good Rate”: Woman Frustrated by Unreliable Domestic Workers Despite R7K Salary, SA Debates

• A South African homeowner sought public advice after struggling to find and keep reliable helpers despite offering generous benefits
• The detailed post shared on Reddit outlined the live-in position's attractive salary, extensive perks, and excellent living conditions
• Social media users responded with a flurry of questions and shared similar experiences, offering various perspectives on the helper dilemma

A South African household's predicament concerning the retention of domestic helpers sparked a lively discussion across digital platforms.

The extensive query was shared on Reddit by askSouthAfrica and generated a mass of questions and similar stories from engaged online users.

The homeowner detailed their frustrating search for a long-term helper since losing a beloved, long-serving employee during the COVID-19 pandemic. They described a highly attractive live-in position, with the helper's cottage, a personal space that is fully furnished and includes a television, a dedicated kitchen with a hot stove, refrigerator, washing machine, and a private bathroom.

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The woman also notes that groceries are provided upon request once a month, along with all necessary cleaning supplies, meaning the helper only needs to purchase personal items. The employer expressed a personal enjoyment for cooking, so the helper is invited to share all meals with the family, enjoying a wide variety of foods, though participation is optional.

The unanswered question

The role involves five working days a week, from Tuesday to Saturday. The monthly salary offered is R7.2K. Additionally, a part-time helper assists a few times a week. The helper receives 13 working days of annual leave and an annual bonus for continued good performance. Despite the seemingly superior benefits compared to industry peers, the longest a helper has stayed since Covid-19 is two years, with many leaving under false pretences.

Mzansi weighs in on the post

Social media users were quick to engage with the homeowner's plight, flooding the comment section with many inquiries. Many questioned the no-visitation policy, suggesting it might be a significant problem despite the otherwise generous benefits. Some pointed to the helper coming in at 18h30 sometimes to wash the dishes, saying it was working after hours and therefore taking from their time. Others empathised with the homeowner, sharing their own difficult experiences in finding and retaining reliable staff and highlighting common challenges faced by employers.

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User @Worried_Place3142 said:

"That is quite a good rate with good benefits. If you don’t mind me asking, where are you based? Would you be looking to consider a domestic worker? We have someone who works for us only on Mondays, she’s okay to deal with, and also someone who is educated but can’t find a better job; hence, she works as a domestic. Please DM me if you would like to consider."

User @Chanel5059 added:

"I'm obviously in the minority here, but I think the pay is grossly low, especially given how long the hours are. The number of paid holiday days is also quite low. I'm not at all surprised that the ladies leave."

User @John_Bones_ commented:

"Bro, this lady is living the domestic dream. Well done to her."

User @Rudolphaduplooy shared:

"I don’t think the domestic workers of today want to be domestic workers anymore."

User @unsolicitedPeanutG added:

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"If you’re hiring non-South Africans, you’ll always have a problem. You should try to get someone who isn’t local but at least South African, simply because they are more likely to stay and become immersed in the family. Getting a foreigner is often difficult because you don’t know where they live, which removes accountability."

User @Deletted_scenes commented:

"That's a good salary. The question is, how many are you? And, what nationality/race are you? I often hear my helper's past encounters with the Indian and black races. She says they demand a lot and are very finicky about how they want their house cleaned."

See the Reddit post here.

3 Briefly News articles about domestic workers

• A local lady detailed how her helper took her car without permission, got into an accident, and injured her child, who was in the car with her.
• A domestic worker waited until her employer left for work, then prepared herself a meal with grilled meat, but her boss had to turn back to fetch her charger and walked into the scene.
• A domestic worker shared how she landed a job with a rich family by confidently approaching her boss at Woolworths, dressed well and ready to impress.

Source: Briefly News