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.