Congrats!

I can see the ISO is coming along pretty well.

My comments below:

On item #1: As your future Republican Presidential Candidate would say it: You betcha!

Regarding item #2: Guatemalan people that can afford maids and force them to work 12 hours for 7 days, usually don't have the money to "lawyer up" and do end up paying at the end, call it Karma if you will, but I've seen it happen. Something you still haven't caught up in Guatemala is that "rich" people live off appearances and love to show off (or believe) they are "rich". Abusing the worker will come back and bite you in the ass no matter how much money you have and how many lawyers you hire, especially in Guatemala, you will be retaliated one way or another. The standard Jornada Diurna, which applies for Maids, as far as I know, is 8 hours a day, Monday to Friday, and 4 hours, on Saturday.

On item #3: I'm not sure if I understood you correctly, but if you're saying that you should pay bonuses within the paycheck, I don't recommend you do it, but if you still go ahead and do it, make sure you have the building of the Bono 14, etc., into their paychecks in writing within the contract as well, or else, you'll end up paying at the end...yet again, since it can be taken as part of the salary. Also, once you have a signed and notarized contract, make sure to submit and register it at the Inspección General de Trabajo, you'll be sleeping much more comfortable that way.

On item #4: Besides the receipts or "recibos", you need to keep, by law, " libros de salarios" or Salary Books. Keep records - signed receipts by the employees - of bono 14, bono navideño, holidays, sick time, vacation, and time off paid. Don't leave anything out.

On item #5: Definitely, no loans or salary advances. Especially within the first two months of work where you have the upper hand and you can fire the worker if you deem it necessary, free of legal retaliation. Also, make sure no doggy bags go out or bags of any type go in or out, unless you know what´s inside.

On item #6: My experience has been that retainers with lawyers in Guatemala don't work pretty well. If you keep your workers within legal working conditions, clean records - it's cheaper to retain an accountant that will be doing actual work -, and use common sense, I seriously doubt you'll ever need a lawyer again for labor disputes. Hire a lawyer for specific services, and keep in mind that haggling over a price of any service provided by "the lawyer" can be a fun way to get what you want.

Good luck!

I'm sorry, my mistake for thinking it's a single banner under the "gay friendly in antigua" definition in your CMS.

You're right, no hidden messages there. All banners are being treated equally. ;)

Look closely at the link, especially this part: gay-friendly-in-antigua/index.php?adclick=26

Can you read what I can read? Does it say "gay-friendly-in-antigua"?

Mark,

As the newest member of WHCMFPRIA, how can you be supporting gay friendly causes in your own blog with the "Guatemala Hostel" banner pointing to: http://guateliving.com/2009/11/gay-friendly-in-antigua/index.php?adclick=26 ??

Are you aware that there are gay "Christian Pastors" with HIV out there? http://gcmwatch.wordpress.com/2009/01/16/cogic-pastor-infects-teen-with-hiv/

Just add a rainbow or two to the header and that will do it. We'll understand if you don't want to talk about any more.

This was a really hilarious post. Thank you!

Mark,

I believe you're being scammed by maid #4, but don't let the best of you come out when venting. Follow the golden rule: Do not crap where you eat.

Also, if you didn't have a written contract, Labor Law in Guatemala acknowledges verbal contracts:

http://www.mintrabajo.gob.gt/empleadores/contratos-de-trabajo

Artículo 27. El contrato individual de trabajo puede ser verbal cuando se refiera:
b) Al servicio doméstico.

My two cents for your' ever constant future in Guatemala:

1. Use good referral services, either from friends or business owners you trust
2. Since this is going to be domestic work, unwritten gender laws in Guatemala demand that the business be managed by the wife.
3. Draw a contract, verify the Cedula or DPI (this is how it looks in case you haven't seen one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BTSIAuPkwk). Request a copy of the ID, whichever is going to be used and have the contract signed at a friend's house, you'll need an eyewitness. It doesn't have to be at a lawyer's office, but the contract must be notarized.

Make sure to NOT give loans, if it is a real emergency, have her sign a "recibo" for whatever amount of money and with the agreement that it will be taken off the next pay check.

Lack of education is how maids have misconceptions regarding their working environment. If you are educated and better prepared, you have to be the better person.

I can see Mark publishing the ISO of Maid Work in Guatemala pretty soon.

Nancy,
Good advice for Mark! Now, as in any country in the world, a lawyer, by definition, is not honorable.

elgordo,
Although I agree that the former maid is being vindictive and, obviously, trying to abuse the system, I'm sorry to tell you that Mark's former maid is not panza verde. Mark will confirm that for you.

Also, Guatemala is a class divided society and lawyers will only take sides when being paid, and well.

Sorry to read your story of deception with Dubya. The "Decider" screwed us all, no exceptions.

Let's just laugh about:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/17/will-ferrell-snl-season-f_n_204335.html

Mark,

I been meaning to tell you, while in Antigua, I used to order my shoes, custom made, at Zapateria Galdamez. Last month, I stopped by and the place still exists.

Zapato Galdamez
6a Avenita Norte No.20
Antigua Guatemala
Celular : (502) 78325414

It's not cheap, but you'll have the assurance that those shoes are made for your feet.

This place and business is one of the handful that still exist after the boom that took place in Antigua in the 90's and pretty much exiled almost half of the population and original business from town and is information not many gringos have, so make sure to take advantage of it. Let me know if it works for you.

I still plan to take you some shoes and the lamp in my next trip down there.

We'll keep in touch and good luck with those shoes.

You're right Trudy. It's not only by invitation, but by previous agreement since the whole "show" in a house can cost you around 500 GTQ.

They're usually common previous to and during a procession.

Thank you Cristina. Originally, "Convites" have its roots in Spain and were women driven only, hence the masks. The aberration of using cartoon characters started developing in the 60's, but now the whole tradition is off, not a single "Convite" mask around.

An original "Convite" mask can be seen here:

http://www.masksoftheworld.com/Europe/Guatemala/Guatemalan%20Convite%20Mask%203.htm