Rather a pickle now for Rina's employers this bother of the Indian diplomat treated so summarily in the U.S. over falsely declared payments to the maid. No laughing matter being hauled off like that, strip-searched and arraigned. The decision having been taken to school the children in England, Ma'me cannot cope without a maid over there. For that however, for an extended stay, Immigration formalities involving legal declarations, as in the case of the Indian diplomat.
Specifically, the remuneration of the hired help you want to bring into the country needs to accord with minimum legislated labour rates. In the case of the Indian diplomat, the woman declared such-and-such, when in fact, wink-wink, nod-nod, actually a quarter of that would be more than fair in the Indian context.
Not however in the States. They abolished actual and even virtual slavery there some while back. You declare, you pay. No shenanigans. Especially not with a keen, newly appointed DA patrolling the beat. (Of Indian ancestry, as it happens.)
Newspaper reports would have made Ma'me's ears prick. A High Commissioner’s daughter into the bargain, something of that sort. What would they care about a Chin tin-pot billionaire in England and America.
As a consequence the paperwork being prepared in Bukit Timah now shows maid accompanying to England will earn per month out on the green dales, two thousand Singapore dollars. Each month. The minimum permitted under those laws up there in the Queen’s kingdom.
After thirty months and counting on the island there has been found one maid here earning a staggering $SG1,200 per month from a generous Chinese spinster living alone without cats and dogs. Relating the matter to others produces glazed stares. Ah-ha. Really? She told you that?
In fact the lass concerned can be believed. The dripping gold she wears Sundays testifies. Two new Smart phones. No-one has the kind of shiny cloth on her back like this chubby one.
Nice gal, good luck to her. More usual was $500 & $600. Per month. Illegal 400s are still reported; 450s common as coconuts. Rina scores $600 after a dozen years in the employ at Bukit Timah.
The two maids don't get on. Rina is quiet, even tempered, careful in opening her trap. The other a busy-body, complaining and fault-finding. Twelve years together there in Bukit T., Rina having started a few months earlier. Pity about that.
But Rina was not bothered. Doesn't care. Her six hundred satisfies her. A request for some kind of parity given the circs. certainly will not be ventured by Rina. Should her employers decide to cough, she'll accept. Not otherwise.
Fact is Rina has had enough of working away from home. A dozen years here and a couple in Saudi prior. Two houses built back in the kampung in Java tengah, central Java. Extra salted away. Son, daughter and step-daughter all happily married. The kids are calling mum back to look after the grand. Rina would prefer to pull up stumps here. Time for some rest. In her mid thirties, Rina was tired.
Horrifying prospect for Sir, Ma'me and Popo. After such service, proven trustworthiness, reliability, honesty, never a bad temper. After all this where would they ever find another maid to compare?
Popo, Ma'me's mother, has redoubled efforts to retain her maid. The other upstairs was charged with the care of the children. Rina takes Popo, the garden, cooking, cleaning, car washing.
Popo depends on Rina. Genuinely likes the maid by the sound of it. The pair have been on numerous trips together—Shanghai, Beijing, HK, Macao (Vegas fell through—Popo likes mahjong and roulette). Closer to home KL, Melaka, Genting and Cameron Highlands, Ipoh, JB innumerable times.
Ma'me can rest easy with Rina escorting her mother.
Hard not to like Rina. Popo certainly fond of her. Recently a Chinese spinster had been in the news after leaving her Indonesian maid a million dollars. This after financing the building of a house in the kampung, among other generosities.
Some months ago during the early alarm over Rina's position, Popo referred to this report in her pleas for Rina's loyalty.
Look me I die Will leave money you.
Rina knows she has Popo in her corner. Good old stick, never a problem.
But Popo, you children, grandchildren. Other no. How?
It would happen, Popo promised.
Bukit Timah was prime bungalow territory in Sin'pore.. Tin Hill, that in reality denotes a much more precious metal. Let's say ten million conservatively for the triple storey alone.
At his office in Orchard Sir's safe often holds bucket loads of bucks. (Rina cleans the shelves.) Big dollars.
Rina and the second maid however continue to be granted only fortnightly days off; not the weekly mandated by law. (Ha! Yeah right.)
….A change too in the thirteen year olds since the return from the rolling hills of England. (The first adopted, before Ma'me suddenly and unexpectedly finally fell pregnant.) Unruly now. They get upset if Rina is too tired to kick the ball with them. And they brazenly kick the ball directly at her on purpose.
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