Korean Job Discussion Forums

Cynical Optimist · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Location: S.E. Korea

Today I have hired my first housekeeper. I feel like I've moved up in the world! Very Happy

She's here for 4 hours -- the cost? 20,000 won! Shocked

And actually this particular lady is only for today and next will be a different one who will only cost 15,000 for 4 hours!

So far she's cleaned my kitchen and bathroom, the floors (2br apt), and she's cooked me some tuna chigae. She also sat on the floor of my bedroom doing something with my laundry, but I'm not sure what yet. And I've got one more hour still.

I'm having this 2x/week. I'm totally stoked! I HATE doing dishes!

Best 20,000 won I've spent in a long time!

Wondering · Joined: 23 May 2007 Location: Seoul

I had one once. Started out great, but then the quality of her work got worse and worse. She belonged to the same church that one of my co-workers went to, so I knew that in addition to being blind in one eye (I swear, I'm not making this up), she was a widow who was the sole support of two kids she was trying to send through university. So, despite the fact that I really didn't even want her coming to my place any more, I didn't feel like I could "fire" her. Eventually, my contract ended and I moved far away and that was how I resolved it, being the tender-hearted chicken that I am.

shaunew · Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Location: Calgary

The best is hitting them when they miss a spot. Makes me smile Laughing

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

I've got pretty much the same deal & its great.

Same ajumma for over 5 years -- cleans, cooks, does the laundry -- I'd be lost without her.

She's a dear -- cheerful, competent, honest. I've gotten to know her family (both her kids have been in my classes) & she's grown accustomed to my life & routines -- vegetarian, 2 cats, beer empties, etc.

If you settle on a good one, treat her nice. Many Koreans view working as a "pachulbu" (housekeeper) as degrading & you can be sure her family life hasnt worked out the way she might have hoped. Nevertheless, you can expect honest value.

I pre-tidy (just a little) & occupy myself elsewhere when she's working. She likes to snack on the job & I'm happy to see stashes of crackers & cookies & fruit gradually diminish. I give her red days off (like today) with pay & accommodate occasional schedule changes that she asks me for. I surprised her with a raise last year to 25k a visit which I know meant a lot to her.

Adds up to loyalty & good feelings all around. Plus coming home to a pristine apartment twice a week -- priceless.

seoulman1 · Joined: 02 Feb 2007 Location: Jamsil

hogwonguy1979 · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: the racoon den

i've had one for 4 of the past 6 years. one i had in gwangju was incredible, she even cleaned my running shoes insoles 4 hours for 25,000 won. she did a number of teachers apts when we lived on the same floor

now i have a fillipina, i pay her 30k/week but man she does a great job, nice to come home after a long friday to clean house, plus my wife is happy she doesnt have to deal with the nasty cleaning.

its one of those things i love to brag about to my friends in the states, dont think even my top exectutive sister has one

Cynical Optimist · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Location: S.E. Korea

kermo · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:24 am Post subject:

I'd like to hire a housekeeper from time to time (there are people who can *see* grime, and I'm not one of them) for a good scouring. However, I have no idea how to go about it. I live in Yongin and I've asked my adult students-- they don't know either!

keseki · Joined: 22 Mar 2007

yeah how can i get in on this?? awesome deal....

Cynical Optimist · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Location: S.E. Korea

Mine is through a women's center in my town. My boss told me about it and worked it all out for me. She said something about there not being enough jobs for older women so they have this government program where they take some classes and learn how to be a good housekeeper. Then the gov pays them something like 800,000 per month salary regardless of whether or not they manage to get a housekeeping job. Of course, the gov wants them to work, so they set their rates at 15,000 per 4 hours to make it a good deal so folks will hire them. Not sure if I've got the facts exactly correct on this, but that's basically what I was told.

So that's the deal I've got. I assume this is a national program, so check for some kind of women's center in your area. But even if you can't find one, it should still be cheap. The W.C. first told me all the ladies were booked, and that I'd have to hire someone independent of that program -- and that would cost 20,000 per 4 hours.

winterwawa · Joined: 06 May 2007

I had a housekeeper when I lived in Daejeon, but I now live in Wonju, and have not been able to find a housekeeper, yet. Does anyone have any info that might help?

Thanks in advance.

Lynns · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Location: Korea

I heard from a Korean friend that you can hire a cleaning lady through YWCA. They have a training and job program, similar to what Cynical Optimist described.

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

I would feel bad paying anybody less than 10,000 per hour.

winterwawa · Joined: 06 May 2007

rokricky · Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Location: Yongsan, Seoul

I have one of my Uni students clean my apartment for two hours once a week. He does a great job; folds my clothes; puts them away; washes the dishes ect... Most students make 3500/ hour (in my area), so I pay him 5000won /hour. He cleans for 2 hours a week (my apartment is not very dirty). It's worth every won, but sometimes I feel I should pay him more. So sometimes I give him a bonus and I always make him lunch.

I also have a Physio therapy student who comes to my house to teach me Taekwondo and give me sport massages. I pay him 20/hour, but sometimes he stays for 3 hours, giving me a full one hour massage after our lesson. He's very proffesional.