Domestic Help Household Services Philippines for Expats

• 1A written agreement in a language both parties understand
• 2Traceable payment method and records
• 3No retention of the worker's passport or personal documents
• 4Safe working conditions and respect for privacy

1. 1

   Clarify duties, hours, pay, rest days, transport, food, privacy and termination terms.

2. 2

   Put the agreement in writing in a language both parties understand.

3. 3

   Follow Philippine labour and social-protection rules — this is not informal help with no obligations.

4. 4

   Pay through a traceable method and keep records.

5. 5

   Never retain the worker's passport or personal documents.

6. 6

   If using an agency, verify licensing, references, replacement policy, fees and who is legally the employer.

7. 7

   Never pay large unexplained deposits or accept a worker whose documents cannot be checked.

Set expectations from day one in writing. Review pay, duties and rest days regularly and follow renewal or termination terms.

Live-in and live-out arrangements differ in cost and obligations. Agencies can be useful but verify who is legally the employer — the obligations often rest with you.

This section reflects real experiences. Always confirm with your local office before traveling.

• Treating the arrangement as informal with no obligations.
• Retaining the worker's passport or personal documents.
• Paying cash with no records or receipts.
• Using an agency without verifying licensing or the replacement policy.
• Ignoring rest days, overtime and social-protection contributions.