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hiring domestic help in mexico

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thirdnormal
  3/20/2015 11:37 EST

Can anyone provide tips on how to go about hiring and managing domestic help in mexico ?

I'm considering a move to mexico some time in the next year or so. Since I have some mobility limitations I'll need some help with household work, primarily shopping and cleaning. Ideally the person would come in two or three times a week for a half day each time. I would not be able to provide accommodation.

How would I go about finding such a person? Would I deal with the person directly or are there agencies that can place someone? What is a typical wage for this type of work? Are there any legal or tax issues I should be aware of? What else should I know?

Thanks for any advice.

elsidmx
  3/20/2015 12:42 EST

Hi , You did not say where in Mexico you will be moving,

The going rate for help varies from location to location, here at Lake Chapala we have agencies that help find domestic help ,

KEEP a RECORD, Have the person being paid sign for their wages and date each time,

Get the local rules on paying them for vacation and holidays.

Best never to loan money against future wages, If you do so , Write out in Spanish the amount of the load and how it will be paid back, Keep records.

Hope this helps you,

Sid Grosvenor www.ChapalaClub.com

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Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.
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joaquinx
  3/20/2015 14:52 EST

Rolly Brook has some answers http://www.rollybrook.com/employee-pay.htm

thirdnormal
  3/22/2015 16:18 EST

Thank you for the replies. The www.rollybrook.com link in particular was particularly interesting. Perhaps I might ask a couple of follow up questions.

Sid: you mentioned that there are agencies in the Lake Chapala area that help find domestic help. Do they just help find finding someone? Or will they act as an ongoing go-between. I.e. will my financial relationship be with the agency and they take care of the bonuses and government registrations etc? (Presumably I would pay more in this case and the agency would take a cut). Or would I still have the employment relationship with the worker?

Also, for budgeting purposes, what is a typical hourly rate for domestic help?

My short list of destinations are Puerto Vallara and Lake Chapala, although Los Cabos, and Merida are also candidates.

Thanks again! I really appreciate the information.

elsidmx
  3/22/2015 21:53 EST

Hi Again, I think there are some agencies that handle all the paper work for you, but really it's not that hard.

Just be sure that when you pay you get the employee to sign for their money . My form shows the number of hours worked and the dates and the total paid in pesos and has their name and a space for them to sign.

They are also entitled to a Christmas bonus and vacation based on years of service.

My gardener earns $500 pesos a week and works 12 hours a week. He gets vacation pay, holiday pay of it falls on a work day and a Christmas bonus based on government guidelines.

As far as I know there's no need to register with the government for "part time help". If the agency handles all the money payments then I think "They are the employer".

My system has worked well for 10 years. Hope this helps, Tu amigo, Sid

geaaronson
  6/27/2015 15:44 EST

There may be no need to go through an agency. Quite often middle class Mexicans will post a notice on their front door to the effect they are looking for a gardener or housemaid. You can have a Mexican friend or bilingual gringo write it up for you if you don't speak Spanish. But if you don't I would strongly suggest that you learn to do so as it will make life so much easier for you.

Here in the Yucatan we go by word of mouth or if in a rental complex, the landlord will be able to refer you household help. Or you can go the above route. Personally I wouldn't ever think of going through an agency. As for payment remember the minimum wage in MX is about 60 pesos a day by federal law and varies slightly from state to state. No one would get a maid at that rate and the real working wages that will get you a permanent help is somewhat higher. 500 pesos for 12 hours is about right.

Generally household help get paid by the day. So if you are only hiring someone for 3 hours its conceivable they may charge you for a full day because it may be difficult for them to get another employer to fill that day slot. Also, considering that wages are so low, I would urge you to consider paying above average wages as that will get you a permanent helper. The last thing you want to do is have a huge turnover in staff. It will only make you vulnerable to theft.

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Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.
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RubyCalle
  6/27/2015 20:27 EST

yes word of mouth works here as well in Guanajuato. I do think you get what you pay for.... I have paid 50 pesos an hour for help... but feel better about making some of my sorta gringa demands now that I pay a bit more.

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