Department of Irritation
The Immigration Department pledges: 'We will treat each member of the public with respect, consideration, courtesy and compassion. We will be empathetic, appreciative of different perspectives and flexible in the application of policies to meet specific needs.'
The usual process time for a domestic helper's visa application is about six weeks. If a helper leaves without notice, the employer can only hope for an emergency procedure to speed up the process of replacing them (which, for a family of young children and two working parents, can be defined 'urgent'). Immigration officers suggest enclosing a letter with the application, informing them of the urgency of such a case.
But it seems nobody reads the letter. Instead, after five weeks they tell you there's a small detail missing and the application has been cancelled. Then...
'Yes, we know it's urgent but your other amah will have to cope.'
'Uh, what other amah?'
'Miss X.'
'No, Miss X left, that's why we ... It's all in the letter.'
'We didn't receive a ... oh yes, let me read it. Call back in a week.'
Ten weeks into the four-month process came this gem: 'Your address has a PO box number, your amah can't live in a postbox. Ha ha. Come here, take this paper to the consulate, get them to cross out 'PO box', bring it back and wait another six weeks.' Thanks for the empathy.
