Wages to Pay the Help

Lower minimum wages often mean added luxuries for families that can afford it. In particular, countries like Armenia have a developed system for employing personal drivers, housekeepers, babysitters and tutors. With the demand for employment as well as for help around the house high on both ends, there is no shortage of jobs in certain areas. However, many are often confused about the wages that more or less should be paid to those you bring in to help around the house and with the kids. 

The Dayak is the one person that is most needed. Since most mothers will go back to work 2.5 months after giving birth (paid maternity leave is upwards of 5 months, 70 days before and 70 days after giving birth), the professional babysitters also known as dayaks are constantly being sought out. There are a few Facebook groups specifically dedicated to finding the right person to care for your child. App services like Servicebrok also help match you with the right dayak, as do multiple agencies throughout the country. While some parents prefer younger dayaks, others opt for over 40. It is all about preferences.

The average wage to be paid per hour is 500 AMD per child, ranging up to 800-1000 AMD per hour if she will be staying the night. It should also be noted that some Dayaks are picked up on a monthly fee, either to work in or out of country. Many Armenians hire from Armenia, and are willing to pay for ticket, room and board along with a small stipend (around 300-500$), even if they live in the CIS or Asia. 

There are specific dayak-style helpers who are available to help care for the elderly as well. Usually they are nurses with ample experience. They can do everything from simple care to injections and monitoring medications. Usually their prices range from 600-1000 an hour. 

Housekeepers or simply cleaners are a luxury that many families enjoy, no matter their social standing. Even those making an average wage will often call in someone to clean the home once a week. The prices ranges from 5000-15000 a day, depending on the amount of work and the size of the home. This can include anything from a simple clean to a full spring cleaning, from cooking to ironing and doing the laundry. Some people like to have a helper that can do just about everything, while others just hire for the hard stuff (drapes, windows, etc.). You can also work out a monthly salary if it will be a daily or recurring job. 

Personal drivers come in very handy in a city where there is little space to park and side swipes become all too common sometimes. Usually the employer provides the car, while the driver will take you to and from wherever you need to go for a fixed monthly fee. This can range from 120k-250k, depending on the services required. There are drivers who would be more than willing to use their own cars to chauffeur you around, for a similar fee. It all comes down to negotiation here. It should be expected to pay at least 5000 on a daily basis, however. Many parents will negotiate with drivers to simply pick up and drop off their children as well, paying a normal taxi fee.   

Tutors of all subjects are sought out for school-aged children as well. Often they do bundled tutoring, but it can be simply chess, piano or languages as well. Often tutors are available by grade, while some focus strictly on mathematics, sciences or a particular language. Average pay would be between 200 and 2000 an hour, depending on the tutor and the subject. You will find people working for 5000 a week for 3 times a week, while others will do a whole month for 20000 AMD. Generally the consensus is around 3000 a month per subject if the tutor is working on all subjects from grades 1-4. 

All in all, be fair in compensation, but know the average ranges when going in. These prices are as of 2017-2018. They may be subject to change at any time.