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November 15, 2010

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Ayi contracts to be changed

A NEW contract for maids will be promoted next year to protect their employers, according to the Shanghai Household Service Association.

A domestic helper will be punished, or even fired, for giving out his or her employee's information, according to a sample of the new household service contract.

Sun Shizhen, secretary general of the Shanghai Household Service Association, said yesterday that families have complained about maids giving out private information and inviting strangers into their homes. They are worried about their safety and belongings.

"The new contract states very clearly that ayis are never permitted to give out their employers' information such as phone numbers, education background and financial details," Sun said. "It also states that ayis will not be allowed to invite strangers over without the family's permission."

In one case, Ruan Jiangong told Shanghai Daily that their domestic helper, a woman from northwestern China's Gansu Province, told her relatives the family's phone number on her first day of work. About a week later, the ayi's sister and son came to the home without permission.

"We found some rice and cooking oil missing after they were here," Ruan said. "We think the ayi gave them some when we were out. We warned her not to bring anyone over several times, but she would not listen."

Ruan said they had to lock all closets and drawers before finally firing the maid.

Officials with Jialilai Household Service Co Ltd said yesterday that the biggest problem is that most maids are not educated.

"Not all of them have evil thoughts of stealing. They just don't think what they are doing is wrong as they don't have the same sense of privacy," said Xia Jun, director of the company.

"But the families do feel threatened whether the ayis mean to do it or not," he said.




 

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