Conversation between an employer and her housemaid a few days ago.
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| Source:www.indoormarketplace.com |
Housemaid: Ate, meron po biglang nag text sa akin nun Sunday. Pwede daw po ako maging kaibigan.Tinanong nya po ako kung ilang taon na ako . Nun sinabi ko po na 18, bigla niya sinabi sa akin na ipapakilala nya ang anak nya na kasing edad ko.Hinihingi nya po yun address natin kase pupuntahan nya daw ako. Namimilit malaman ang Street natin?
(English Translation: Last Sunday, an unidentified man sent me a mobile message. He was trying to befriend me through text and inquired about my age. When I told him I am 18, he suddenly told me that he will introduce me to his son, who’s the same age with me and suggested we can go on a date. He demanded right away for our address. )
Employer: Kilala mo ba yun? Ano ang sinabi mo sa kanya?
(Do you know who you’re texting? What did you tell him?)
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| Source:queensland.inetgiant.com.au |
Housemaid: Naalala ko yun sinabi nyo sa akin na pag may nag text na hindi ko kilala at nagtanong ng personal information nating lahat dto sa bahay, eh possible may masama sya motibo. Binabaan ko sya ng cellphone.
(You told me if an unidentified person asks for personal information, there’s a strong possibility that the suspect has a bad motive. I immediately turned off my mobile phone.)
Kurukuro believes that this new ploy is perpetrated by criminal syndicates who wish to pick potential victims to rob or do harm through the unsuspecting domestic helpers. In totality, domestic helpers are good-hearted whose main purpose is to earn money for their impoverished families in the provinces. However due to poverty, criminal syndicates can used or pressure them into committing a crime to earn extra cash.
Employers, who have long time domestic staff, have to be vigilant at all times. Although their loyalty had been proven already, collusion with criminal syndicates is a big possibility especially in this present hard time. A long time yaya or cook may be used by syndicates as an accessory or tipster in their group.
Employers, it’s not going to hurt your busy schedule if you talk to your domestic staff particularly the housemaids once in a while. Giving few minutes of your time to talk to them can save lives and can prevent you, your family and the entire household from being victimized by lawless elements. You will be surprised that with this simple gesture will make them appreciate their employer and will be more open to you.
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| Source:nanny-network.com |
Communication with staff is important and vital in day to day household operation. You as an employer will be more updated of their personal lives. Though at times it may be too shallow for an employer to discuss housemaids’ personal lives, they give the whole picture of themselves and who they deal with everyday.
The chit chat moment with your housemaids is the best time to tell them about the safety measures that they can apply daily. Give them safety tips and explain the repercussions of being lax in dealing with strangers.
Employers’ A Must Do to prevent crime in the household:
- Landlines are for the exclusive use of the employers and their family members. Never allow domestic staff to answer phone calls especially if employers are not around. Explain to them that if there will be an emergency and important calls, you will get in touch with them through their mobile phones.
- As for Dugo Dugo Gang modus operandi, the best way to check it out if the call is legitimate or not, specifically instructs your domestic staff to call you personally in your mobile phone. Give alternative people to call in case you cannot be reached.
- If you are getting a new maid, tell them all the ground rules inside the house especially the safety and security of the whole family. If possible, tell them the Dugo Dugo gang’s modus operandi.
- Employers should prohibit domestic staff from using the landline unless it is important in nature. They have their mobile phones wherein they can be contacted by their families and friends.
- Explain to all your domestic staff the importance of not disclosing the personal and business affairs of their employers with their friends or family, their employer’s relatives and friends, or any visitors to the house or callers on the telephone.
- Instruct domestic staff not to exchange text messages with somebody you don’t know personally.
- Do not allow your domestic helpers’ family, relatives and friends into the house unless you give permission to prevent any unfavorable incident in your house.
Note: *Ate is a Filipino term/word for female employer.
