Domestic workers in China's financial capital are now subject to a code of conduct, as Zhou Wenting reports from Shanghai.

Last month, for the first time in the local industry's history, the Shanghai Changning District Homemaking Service Association released a 50-item code of conduct for housekeepers and nannies.

The code was introduced five days after a housekeeper in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, was arrested for allegedly starting a fire in an apartment that killed a mother and three children ages 11, 8 and 6.

Breaches of the code range from having a criminal record to providing employers with false information, such as on resumes, health records or fake ID cards.

Those who attempt to break a contract to secure a pay rise or ask to borrow money from employers will also be blacklisted.

New employees registered with any of the more than 300 agencies for domestic workers represented by the association will need to provide proof of a clean criminal record via documents issued by the police department of their home region.

"The standards will be promoted citywide soon," said Zhang Baoxia, secretary-general of the Shanghai Home Service Industry Association.

The domestic worker in Hangzhou, surnamed Mo, was charged with arson and theft. Although she told police she was addicted to online gambling, her motive for allegedly starting the blaze remains unknown.

The incident caused a sensation because housekeepers are initially strangers to the families that employ them, but they usually have direct contact with all the members. In time, many become accepted as part of the family, Zhang said.

According to a poll conducted by the Family Development Research Center at Fudan University in Shanghai and published in December, about one in five families in Shanghai employ or plan to employ domestic workers or nannies. That's mainly because a growing number of couples are planning to have a second child, and also because China's population is aging rapidly and more people require care.

Complaints, constraints

Zhang said: "The fire prompted widespread discussion about the frustration of trying to find an ideal nanny who is always on time, is honest and can cook and clean professionally. We drew up the code of conduct to set more constraints on housekeepers, and raise service standards in the industry."

Most of the complaints agencies receive from clients are about housekeepers who fail to arrive on time, but leave before the end of their arranged working hours, and some of them "tend to dilly dally", he added.

Last year, when she became her elderly mother's full-time carer, Shanghai resident Chen Yan hired a housekeeper to clean for two hours a day. The housekeeper, who was in her 30s, was slow and unhelpful.

"She spent the second hour mopping the floors of my apartment, which has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. That was fine, but she was very slow and it seemed as though she needed a short rest after every single movement," said Chen, 57, a retired accountant.

"Moreover, she looked at the clock on the wall every five minutes to ensure she left at the exact minute the two hours expired."

Chen ended the woman's contract after a month.

Zhang said the number of complaints about other incidents, such as stealing, is relatively low.

Xia Jun, president of the Shanghai Changning District Homemaking Service Association, said the organization receives at least one such report from clients per month.

For four years, Zhong Ling, who lives with her husband and two children in Shanghai, hired a housekeeper to clean her home every day.

The arrangement worked well for a long time, but in May last year, Zhong realized that two of her dresses were missing. She didn't pay much attention until two more went missing three months later. After that, the thefts didn't stop. Instead, they became more frequent.

In November, Zhong couldn't find a necklace she had bought, but had never worn. She had placed it in a jewelry box in a drawer.

"I asked the nanny if she had seen the necklace. She suddenly became very angry. She shouted, "You cannot doubt me. My job is not of high rank, but you must not insult me," said Zhong, a 46-year-old homemaker.

However, a week later, the housekeeper asked whether the diamond on the necklace was real.

"That was illogical because I don't think she had seen the necklace, so she wouldn't have known there was a diamond on it," said Zhong, who admitted that she doesn't like to find fault with others.

As she didn't have hard evidence that the clothes and the necklace had been stolen by the domestic worker, she was prepared to let the matter ride.

"But the maid's attitude toward us quickly deteriorated, and she didn't take the job as seriously as before. I thought it was her way of manufacturing an excuse so we could fire her. As a result, I ended her contract," she said.

Solutions

Xia said his association consulted more than 100 agencies before it drew up the code of conduct to ensure the document was as practical as possible.

"For example, checking cellphones or making three-minute calls while working is heavily discouraged, and that sort of behavior while cooking or looking after a baby is completely banned because it can be very dangerous," he said.

He suggested that clients who suspect their housekeeper of stealing should report their suspicions to the police: "If you ignore their misbehavior, they may become greedier next time."

He also suggested that clients who give money to the housekeeper to buy groceries or other items should check how the money is spent because the association often receives complaints such as, "The housemaid used to be able to buy us three days' food with 200 yuan ($30), but now she cannot buy two days' food with the same amount."

However, employers rarely ask for receipts.

Xia urged clients to refrain from raising their housekeeper's wages without consulting the association.

"When housekeepers gather together, the most important thing is showing off how much extra money their employers give them and how easy their work is. We don't want employers to reward or punish people privately, because that may affect wages and the domestic's attitude to work," he added.

Luo Haoyun, a supervisor at Domo, an agency for domestic workers in Shanghai, said clients should always use reliable agencies because they insist on a probation period for candidates.

"Domestic workers usually live in dormitories arranged by the agency, so their words and behavior can be observed. They are assessed based on the initial reactions of their clients before they are officially employed," he said.

According to Luo, smaller agencies don't have those rules. Moreover, they provide opportunities for every worker on their books to earn more in brokerage fees, and many exaggerate candidates' work experience to win clients.

"I wouldn't suggest looking for a domestic worker online either, because some websites don't bother to verify the job seeker's information," Luo said.

Despite the impression given by recent events, most domestic workers and nannies are reliable and trustworthy.

Lu Yan, a journalist in Shanghai, hired a nanny when her daughter was born a year ago.

She is delighted with the service she has received.

"She always helps me before I ask. She is very nice to us, especially the baby. Whenever her family brings eggs laid by the hens they raise in the countryside, she brings all of them for my baby girl," the 31-yearold said.

"I'm sincere and lenient with her. When she broke a mug, I said, 'Never mind. Everybody makes mistakes'. Mutual respect is always the best approach."

Contact the writer at zhouwenting@chinadaily.com.cn