How to find good house helpers in The Philippines

No advice, sorry.  It seems there is always a problem so we don't use helpers.  My GF just does it all except I help with the cooking, and we take some of the laundry out. We have two boys and they create a lot of laundry.

Thanks for your response! Unfortunately, I need to hire one since I decided to go back to work. Before that, we didn’t need a helper but now it’s more like a necessity rather than a luxury since our work schedules conflict a lot with my daughters school one.
Guess I’d have to keep my fingers crossed once again...

Hi.
To overcome your set of problems, make your own rules and discuss while hiring the maids. For example, no advances; no work, no pay;; no use of mobile while working etc. Such rules have generally worked for me. I learnt from my own experience and devised my own rules. Rest is luck, my dear. All the best!

I’ve done that, works for a little while and then... anyway. Thanks for the advice

Hire hourly

Welcome to the Philippines!  One of the most corrupt countries in the world!  DO NOT let prospects know you are a money tree, I mean foreigner which to many there is no difference. You are rich and have while they do not so it is ok to "borrow".  You will have the best probability with family members, even if extended family.  If your wife is Philippino have her do all of the face work.    The start out great but slack off later is one of the top 3 complaints about Philippino workers by international companies.  Sorry to paint a bleak picture,  As in all things human there is no statement that is 100% true.  Just remember the odds of a good employee are like Vegas odds, stacked against you.

We are very fortunate.  We have 2.  One for inside and one for outside with my wife's massive garden.  Inside cooks & cleans.  They have both come and gone...........then came back with a new attitude and appreciation for the way my wife (The Boss) treats everyone.  If I had to do a search, I'd probably go down to a Church and speak with a Priest to learn of someone desperate for work.  Would the Priest please bring that person to my home and vouch for them?  You can teach how to's, but your correct - If you can't trust them, you don't need them!

Something I forgot to mention that has worked very well for us.  The working student, especially college students.  The assumption is that anyone motivated enough to pursue college will apply the same attitude to working.  It is major win-win as someone that may not have been able to afford the fees and expenses of college can now attend.  Despite free tuition the fees can be a killer to many struggling families.  We have been very flexible with hours but extremely firm with school is priority one, pregnancy ends the deal, boyfriend/girlfriend very low tolerance.   Pay for all fees as they arise and provide allowance.

We have yet to be disappointed the secret being to contact the school for recommendations.

Thanks for replying but we’re both foreigners, my husband and I, however I do understand more Tagalog than him.
Although since I look filipina I take that to my advantage to a certain point. But sooner rather than later they realized I am not a local (as soon as they hear me speak lol).
I would really like not to have to hire a helper but in my case because of our work schedules is more than a necessity rather than a luxury...

Unfortunately there is no solution to this problem. If you hire a maid and are lucky enough that they actually do a good job and don't rob you blind one of two things happen:

1. You treat them strict and they quit after months or a year because of that.

2. You treat them like one of the family and give them raises and they interpret it as weakness on your part and lose respect for you, start lacking off, or even start stealing.

I actually would love someone to come once a week now to tidy up but no one wants that either.

Hmm I dont envy you. For us its quite easy as my wife is a Filipina and so we use family members who are not so well off offer board and lodging in return for work around the house and we have been known to help out with the school fees. This method is quite common as its an easy way to get a trust worthy helper. Good luck.

What is the salary you guys pay for full time house keeper/cook  ? Is it cash ..no papers no tax