https://www.reddit.com/r/taiwan/comments/1j7us54/caretaker_scams/
created by Nomnomnomtw on 10/03/2025 at 09:31 UTC
6 upvotes, 13 top-level comments (showing 13)
My elderly parents have been very unlucky with the Indonesian helper that they were assigned. In the 18months, we have had two indonesian helpers assigned by the government to assist with my elderly parents. First helper ran away after her mandarin improved (perhaps there is a black market that pays much better?) and the second one accused my parents of abusing her physically when neither one of my parents can even open a jar and are constantly going to the hospital due to health problems. Is this a a common tactic used by the foreign helpers?
It really takes alot of effort from our entire family to train them and to give them the resources to learn mandarin, and to take care of my parents needs. If the next one doesn't work out, I will have to quit my job in order to take care of my parents full time. Is there any other alternative for the average joe out there? As a safety precaution, we have also set up cameras in the entire house outside of the future helper's bedroom and all the bathrooms.
Thank you.
Comment by OrangeChickenRice at 10/03/2025 at 09:44 UTC
28 upvotes, 2 direct replies
They run away because they can get paid more from families who don’t qualify for the government assistance but still need a helper.
Comment by Eclipsed830 at 10/03/2025 at 14:24 UTC
9 upvotes, 0 direct replies
If you are 0 and 2 in a short period of time, it might actually be something with your parents.
Comment by whatdafuhk at 10/03/2025 at 15:21 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I don't want to say it's a common tactic but certainly it does happen and you've just been unusually unlucky. While I have no direct foreign caretaker experience, some extended family do and they have had nothing but good things to say about their workers.
Comment by Nomnomnomtw at 10/03/2025 at 10:45 UTC
7 upvotes, 2 direct replies
They are paid a base of 25k and are eligible for OT pay at the OT rate. All of her meals, transportation and living situation were paid for as she lived with the family as all legal foreign caretakers do. We even gave her an allowance on top of that so that she could enjoy the evenings however she wished.
Comment by Eko128_ at 10/03/2025 at 13:12 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
just pure unlucky, hope you get better one next
Comment by hong427 at 10/03/2025 at 09:34 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I mean, there's 養老院
But you know, trying to convince them to live there has its own problem
Comment by chabacanito at 10/03/2025 at 09:58 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
How much are they paid? Can you blame them for leaving?
Comment by jackdeapples at 10/03/2025 at 15:07 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
OP, would you work over 100 hours a week, and one day off per month for free rent,food, and 25k? oh, and if you do go out on your day off, you can't leave until after you've made everyone breakfast, and helped them shower/walk, whatever, and you also need to be home by 10pm.
the pay is dismal, the work of taking care of someone is really hard, physically and emotionally. you are basically working 24/7. getting woken up in the middle of the night to help grandma because she shit the bed.
If you calculate the wages per hour, it is less than 35nt per hour. sure there is downtime, and easy days. but there are also really hard to be around people. the correct wage is 150k/month. or 50k with their own separate apartment, and 1 or 2 days off per week.
Comment by OkVegetable7649 at 10/03/2025 at 15:34 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Its a thing. You'll probably be flagged as well where you can't get another worker for a while.
Comment by zvekl at 10/03/2025 at 17:47 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I hate to say it but at wits end you can just hire a runaway. More expensive but they are more stable
Comment by 440_Hz at 10/03/2025 at 19:29 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
When my grandparents needed full time care, the 2 Indonesian caretakers they had were lovely. Small sample size, but yours is as well.
Comment by ddxv at 10/03/2025 at 09:46 UTC
1 upvotes, 2 direct replies
In my limited circle of 3 or 4 that I know I've never heard of anything like that. When I've heard of one becoming free due to a death, there was a huge amount of discussion about who would get the honor of hiring her, so I there was definitely understanding that she was very valuable in the family.
As for black market, yes there is a black market, though I guess it's a bit more word of mouth. They live in a bit of fear when they are here illegally as there are raids and both the host family and the worker are at fault if caught.
Comment by SuperS37 at 10/03/2025 at 13:25 UTC
0 upvotes, 0 direct replies
If you remove "Indonesian help" from that post it reads like you're taling about animals. Maybe adjust your attitude or take care of your parents yourself.