Pembantu wars in Seminyak Bali
Having a pembantu, or helper, to take care of the daily chores is a huge help. Most foreigners who live in Bali hire a pembantu and the local landlord will often recommend one.
Our pembantu Ana, from Java is quite good, taking care of gardening, laundry, cooking, cleaning and sometimes feeding Jevon. I reckon I’m lucky to have someone who shows up everyday, works pretty hard and doesn’t steal. Ika does not see it that way however.
When Ika moved in originally, I had a Balinese pembantu, Wayan, who Ika disliked intensely. After many requests to fire Wayan, I finally submitted and she was on her way. Ana worked out well for a long time, but now things are different. Familiarity breeds contempt, both in employers and employees. Ana is married and is also older than Ika, talking to her as an equal. Ika feels that as the ‘boss’, she should be a bit more in the driving seat. Ika has a touch of the ‘Napolean complex’and Ana’s growing courage isn’t appreciated. Ika told me that Ana brought up the subject of hours, duties and pay, while I was away, comparing her situation to other pembantu’s close by. “Can you believe she talk to me like that?”said Ika, “I will fire her, I don’t care, you know how much I hate Wayan, now she acting the same way.”
From my perspective its part comedy, as you have 2 married women, circling each other in a tight space, 6 days a week. They notice everything the other does, and tiny comments can get blown out of proportion.
Ana works from 9 to 5pm, sometime later, 6 days a week. When she is here she is always working. “She always late, at least 15 minutes everyday,”said Ika. I think in the big picture Ana is a decent woman and we’re getting a good deal. If 15 minutes extra with her kids in the morning brings her happiness, I’m happy too.
Hopefully the ladies won’t get at each other’s throat anytime soon. I could always threaten to bring back Wayan.
Cracking the whip too hard does not always make for a better life, for you and the staff.
By Nick | Permalink
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Comments
Well Nick I just attempted so send you my thoughts on Ika’s remarks pertaining to your Pembantu. Give me break. Turn the shoe onto the other foot and let’s see if Ika changes her attitude. I am sorry to say she has become spoiled and tyranical in my opinion. Six days a week continually working while she is at your home. Come on! She is not a slave and in America or other western countries most workers receive two days off a week. Additionally, I believe you need to have a true heart to heart with your wife. I am sorry to spout off like this however her remark, “I can’t believe she spoke to me like this” regarding wages and hours.
In most countries of the world a worker will address these issues with their employers if they feel their boss does not compensate them to the extent their fellow peers are receiving from their employers.
My computer is on the blink. I truly wished to provide my comment regarding Ika’s poor attitude and behavior regarding her MAID. Her remarks are appalling. Obviously, her cohearts are receiving a greater income for similar work duties. Therefore her remarks sound as if she thinks she is wicked Queen or Czar.
Oh apparently that comment took. To make a long story short let me simply say. Perhaps Ika should begin to take on all the household responsibilities and when the shoe is on the other foot maybe her heart will soften and she will cease to grow her Czar like attitude. For her to remark about Ana questioning her wages and hours. Give me a break. When an employee in the west feels they are not being compensated for their work duties most employees discuss these issues with their employers. Therefore, Ika wants to live in a serfdom environment. Tell Ika in the West most people cannot afford Maids. Wake up and smell the coffee.
hi nick ika lacky to have a maid
Definetly Ika is spoiled, she shud doing all the house cores by herself,she’s not working aight?
and one thing for sure she is jealous.she doesnt want to see Ana get an upgrade salary.is she becoming of one “nyonya londho”? Bah typically OKB!
Ika is lucky to find and marry a bule who earns a decent living.She may be still eating rice in java and scratching around for a living,so she is lucky.Women can be bitches thats about it,im sure she is a lovely person,just should check her ego.
Why would you have her work 6 days a week from 9-5
Give her two days off or a better deal than that!
I have a girl to come over to clean up and do my laundry and some gardening, she is from Java.. But I let her come and she only stays until the job is done and then she leaves. It takes her about 1-2 hours and if I am not around she just checks on the house and leaves.
Ika have a heart they are humans and not slaves
Hi Nick:
Ika should be reminded that she should feel extremely lucky to have a MAID whose responsibilities include gardening, cooking, cleaning, and feeding Jevon. Unfortunately, the majority of people become Napolean like when they experience power for the first time and forget what it would be like if the shoe were on the other foot. When I’m in Bali my husband’s sister is my Pembantu consequently I tend to be more accommodating towards her needs. However, we all must remember the amount of money we pay for these services; and if we were in the west, the majority of us could not afford all which Ana provides. Your article gave me the impression that Ika is becoming somewhat spoiled. Six days a week and when Ana is there she is always working! Give me a brake! Perhaps Ika should begin to handle all the daily chores for a considerable amount of time and then and only then might she become a better boss. Perhaps you should remind Ika of karma; however, if she is muslim perhaps she does not believe in this philosophy. Never-the-less to walk in another person’s shoes could due the trick! My final word is this: Most employees discuss wages, hours, etc with there employers periodically; therefore, Ika’s remarks regarding Ana mentioning how much her fellow peers receive from their employers SOUNDS AS IF SHE IS THE QUEEN OR CSAR.
I believe Ika needs a WAKE UP CALL.