Kuala Lumpur - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Help is available for about 25 RM per hour of 2,500 RM to 3,500 RM per month for live out help. Good helpers go fast and can be hard to find. - May 2022
This is where it gets tricky. Currently it seems nearly impossible for third country nationals to work in household help positions. Malaysians don't typically work as a domestic employees. Filipino maids/nannies are in hot demand here, but we're finding out that the sponsoring of domestic employees is nearly impossible. Plus, no maid/nanny that is currently here can work for anyone other than the person listed on their visa. If household help is important to your family, I'd make sure I understand this well before arrival as there's a possibility of not being able to hire anyone legally. - Aug 2018
I don't have household help, but many of my colleagues do. Some have a dedicated part-time helper who comes every day (mainly those with children). Some singles and childless couples will share a helper so that each apartment has someone stopping by once or twice a week. - May 2018
Household help is really easy to find. You pay around $4.50 an hour. - Apr 2017
Help is readily available. People pay around 20RM an hour (about $4.50 an hour at the current exchange rate of 4.43). It's easy to get recommendations from friends who usually know an expat family who are transferring, or otherwise embassies often have a list or KL Klubb-Lah on Facebook is a good source to find someone. It's cheaper per hour if you hire someone full-time. - Apr 2017
Widely available. Full-time housekeeper/nannies generally run about 2,000 RM per month (approximately $500). - May 2016
Affordable; hire part time or full time help via agencies to avoid illegal workers. - Aug 2013
Cost depends on who you hire. Malays, Indians, Filipinos, Indonesians, and Cambodians is the norm. Other than local Malays or Indians, the cost of Visas and the requirements for physical examinations are something to consider. In general, the going monthly rate for home live-ins is US$300-600. For those commuting daily add 100-300 MYR per month. Consider cultural, religious, and communication factors before hiring. - Aug 2011
Live in maids will run you $250-$500 a month, depending on nationality; Indonesian/Bangladeshi maids tend towards the low side, Filipinas on the high side. - Mar 2011
There are plenty of maids from several different countries. They are somewhat pricey - 1500 RM is a mid range price I guess. Most people have at least a PT maid. A few do without. - May 2009
We pay between US$4-5 per hour for live-out, part-time help. It is readily available but varies in quality. - Mar 2009
Filipino and Indonesian maids are available. Salaries vary, but is mostly below the poverty level. We pay above the poverty level and don't worry about or maid skipping out. Abuse of maids is a major problem in malaysia and many are victims of forced labor. - Jul 2008
Our maids have cost around US$400-500 per month for full time live out. We finally imported one which the Embassy will help you with and she is a live-in. Much better for us. - May 2008
