Home managers a huge hit
Many drawn to flexible work hours and good salary
KUALA TERENGGANU: For the past two years, Nur Farhani Alias has been a beacon of light in the lives of Ahmad Huzairi Ali and his wife Majdah Yusof.
The 24-year-old works as a home manager for the couple, who hail from Manir.
Her tasks as a home manager are akin to that of a professional maid, including caring for the couple’s two children and managing the daily household chores while the couple are at work.
Having worked for the family since September 2015, Nur Farhani said she was getting more comfortable with her job, citing flexible working hours, good salary and understanding employers who treated her as part of their family.
She previously worked in a supermarket, but found the work tiring and the salary meagre.
“Then I came across an advertisement by the Terengganu Family Development Foundation (YPKT) for a home manager and was attracted by the many incentives offered,” she said, adding that she underwent a basic 10-day course by YPKT before starting her job.
Nur Farhani admitted that it was awkward for her at first because the job comes with the responsibility of taking care of the couple’s disabled child, Ahmad Thaqif.
However, her caring employers soon put her at ease.
“At first, looking after Ahmad Thaqif was just a task to perform. But I soon grew fond of him and now I want to care for him well.
“My husband Mohamad Arif Hafizan also gives me moral support and encourages me to do my best for my employers.
“I see this work as a ‘university of life’ in my journey to open a kindergarten for children with disabilities,” she added.
Recalling the events from three years ago that led him to employ a home manager, Ahmad Huzairi said he faced numerous issues with maids, including a few who refused to care for seven-year-old Ahmad Thaqif, who has cerebral palsy.
Pushed to desperation, Ahmad Huzairi was close to forking out RM18,000 to get an Indonesian maid.
“But a few days later, I found out about this programme, which had just been introduced by the state government at the time.
“The programme is meant for employers looking for trained and professional maids, a product of YPKT’s training,” he said.
“I am so thankful to have met Nur Farhani, who agreed to work for me and handle the reponsibility of taking care of my two children.”
Ahmad Huzairi is also full of praise for Nur Farhani’s work performance.
“When my friends and relatives visit, they are so impressed with her.
“Five of my friends have also employed home managers from YPKT,” he added.
Unlike foreign maids, YPKT’s home managers do not have to stay in their employers’ homes. They also only work regular office hours or hours that they have agreed on with their employers.
The special programme – the brainchild of Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman – was introduced three years ago and remains highly popular.
A home manager receives a monthly salary of RM1,000, as well as insurance coverage and Employees Provident Fund contributions.
As an incentive, the Terengganu government provides RM200 subsidy for the first three months of service. — Bernama