Why more and more families are relying on maids
In March every year we notice a phenomena, new maids are stepping off the plane in droves. For us the effects are manifold -- all of a sudden the phone is ringing off the hook and email requests are falling out of the sky.
"My new maid is arriving next week."
"I would like to get uniforms for a new girl."
"The agent says these are her measurements. No. I haven't seen her yet."
In addition, there are requests for new sizes and colours for our uniforms. Also, employers making appointments for fittings. Naturally we are happy to help.
We receive requests from all kinds of customers, from many levels of society. As we start to get busy at the workshop producing uniforms, we have noticed some other trends in our customer profiles, that indicates a changing perspective of why maids are coming into the country.
A new trend
Domestic help is no longer a luxury only for the very wealthy but has become a regular part of life for the majority. The recent influx of maids into the country is something we could learn from today, as it points especially to the complete immersion of middle-income households to the idea of having stay-in domestic help.
It could also provide a decent solution to a serious modern problem, which is - that childcare has not evolved properly to support new social structures.
What it means in today's fast-changing economy
Today, there are increasing numbers of households where both partners go out to work, earning roughly equal salaries. When they have children, they often both choose to carry on working.
If they are middle-income earners, the childcare system that is affordable to them is often woefully unsupportive.
Unlike the traditional Asian model of in-home help, where someone like a grandparent or an older aunt/sibling was present in the home at all times, modern family life is often pervaded by insular career choices that see both parents having to work - sometimes not for financial reasons but for personal fulfilment.
Most of the employers we talk to come from dual-working households. And we notice that they speak of their incoming maids with a hopeful respect these additions to the family will relieve burdens, share chores, and keep the children nourished both emotionally and physically.
New roles are being recognised and rewarded
As we strive toward a better economy, the maid's role has changed for the better. Instead of being considered just "labour", they are know considered "help".
What role do we play in this equation, as providers of uniforms and comfortable workwear? Well, we believe that dressing your hired help in better clothes, comfortable fabric, nicely cut tops and bottoms, is a sign that you are willing to invest in someone who will give you back in kind, treated well.
A good investment
Investing in a good, well-fitting uniform for your maid gives her a sense of pride and belonging. Why else would we have honourable professions such as police, magistrates, nurses, et al in defined workwear. The simple reasoning is that there is a advantage of meaning and impact behind having a trade dress, and this is a gesture of goodwill you can give your maid -- her first gift from a caring employer as she sets about her new life with you.
