Short answer: most expat households in Dhaka employ some combination of a housekeeper, cook, driver and, for houses, a guard. The safest way to hire a maid or driver in Dhaka as an expat is through personal references, usually from departing expatriates, followed by a trial period and written terms covering pay, hours, days off, leave and the customary festival bonus. Ask other expats for current pay rates rather than relying on old figures.
Hiring household staff is one of the less familiar parts of moving to Dhaka. For many foreign families it is also one of the most valuable: a reliable driver makes the city's traffic manageable, and a good housekeeper or cook frees up time for work and family. This guide covers the common roles, how expats usually find and check candidates, what to agree in writing, festival bonuses and leave, staff quarters in apartments, and simple steps for safety and trust. It describes common practice, not legal requirements, so check current rules with your employer's HR or a local adviser.
Which domestic staff do expats in Dhaka usually hire?
| Role | Typical duties | Live-in or live-out |
|---|---|---|
| Housekeeper | Cleaning, laundry, ironing, basic shopping, sometimes help with children | Either; many live out |
| Cook | Daily meals, market shopping, kitchen hygiene; some cook both local and international food | Usually live out |
| Driver | School runs, office commute, errands, basic car care | Usually live out, with a waiting room in the building |
| Nanny | Childcare, often combined with light housekeeping | Either |
| Guard | Gate and entry control for standalone houses | Shift-based |
| Gardener | Roof gardens, terraces and house compounds | Part-time |
In most apartment buildings, the building guards are employed by the owners' association and paid through the service charge, so you would not normally hire your own. Standalone houses are different: guards are often provided through a security company, and your employer may have a preferred provider or specific standards. See our security checklist for what diplomatic and UN tenants usually look for.
How do expats find a maid or driver in Dhaka?
Most expatriate households find staff through one of these routes:
- Departing expats. This is the most common and often the best route. When a family leaves Dhaka, they usually want to place staff who have worked well for them, and they can tell you honestly about strengths and weaknesses.
- Colleagues and community groups. Embassy, UN, NGO and company communities, school parent groups and expat online groups regularly share recommendations.
- Your employer. Some organisations keep lists of vetted drivers or have rules about who may drive official vehicles.
- Agencies. Staffing agencies exist in Dhaka. Quality varies, so ask what checks they carry out and what happens if a placement does not work out.
How should you check references?
- Speak directly to at least one previous employer, by phone or video, not only by letter.
- Ask specific questions: how long they worked, why they left, punctuality, honesty with money, how they handled children or emergencies.
- Take a copy of the candidate's national identity card and keep a record of their home address and an emergency contact.
- For drivers, see the original Bangladeshi driving licence, check it is valid for the vehicle type, and take a test drive through busy traffic.
- Some employers also ask for a police clearance or verification. Your building may keep its own record of staff who enter.
What should a written agreement with household staff cover?
A short, simple agreement, ideally in both English and Bengali so both sides understand it, prevents most misunderstandings. It should cover:
- Role and duties, including anything you do not expect them to do.
- Pay: the monthly amount, the payment date and how it is paid. Paying by bank or mobile banking transfer, or against a signed receipt, keeps a clear record.
- Working hours, and how overtime works, particularly for drivers who may wait late for evening events.
- Days off: at least one full day each week, commonly Friday or another agreed day.
- Annual and festival leave, including time to travel home for Eid.
- Festival bonus (see below).
- Sick leave and medical support, for example help with doctor's fees.
- Meals, mobile phone allowance or transport allowance, if offered.
- A trial period, often a few weeks to a month.
- Notice on both sides, and what is paid on leaving.
We do not quote salaries here because rates change and depend on experience, English skills and hours. Agree pay in writing and ask other expats, your HR team or community groups for current rates. Paying fairly and on time is the single best way to keep good staff.
What is the Eid bonus, and how does it work?
A festival bonus for Eid is a well-known custom in Bangladesh and is widely expected by household staff. It is usually paid shortly before Eid so that staff can buy gifts and travel home. Households handle the amount and timing differently: some pay one bonus a year, others split it across the two Eids, and staff of other faiths may receive their bonus at their own main festival, such as Durga Puja or Christmas. The amount is commonly discussed in relation to a month's pay, but practice varies, so agree the bonus in writing when you hire and ask colleagues what is customary. For staff who have worked only part of the year, a pro-rated bonus is common.
Also plan for the Eid holidays. Many staff travel to their home districts for several days, and road and river travel is busy, so agree the leave dates early.
Do Dhaka apartments have staff quarters?
Many larger apartments in Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara include a staff room, often with its own toilet and sometimes a separate service entrance. Buildings often have a driver room or waiting area near the parking: 41 of our 73 current listings mention one. If you plan to have live-in staff, check that the room has ventilation, a fan, a window or exhaust and a working toilet. You can filter our properties and ask us which homes include a staff room, or read our guide to family apartments in Dhaka.
If you prefer not to employ staff directly, a serviced apartment with housekeeping included can be a simpler option, especially for shorter stays.
How do you build safety and trust at home?
- Start with a trial period and clear expectations.
- Give keys only for what each person needs, and keep safes, documents and valuables locked.
- Use a simple household cash book for market money, with receipts where possible.
- Tell the building guards who is authorised to enter your apartment, and update them when staff change.
- Agree clear rules about visitors and phone use during working hours.
- Only employ adults, and treat staff with the same respect you would expect at work.
- Keep emergency numbers, your address in Bengali and a first-aid kit where staff can find them.
What happens when you leave Dhaka?
Give staff as much notice as you can, pay any final salary, pro-rated bonus and agreed leaving payment, and write a reference letter. Many expats help place their staff with incoming families, which is also how the next family finds reliable help. Our moving to Dhaka checklist covers the rest of your arrival and departure planning.
How Rent Property can help
Rent Property is not a staffing agency and does not place domestic workers. What we can do is shortlist apartments with staff quarters, driver rooms and parking that suit a household with staff, and explain how the building manages staff entry. For organisations moving employees to Dhaka, see our corporate relocation service.
Ask us on WhatsApp
Looking for a flat with a proper staff room and driver waiting area? Message Rent Property on WhatsApp at +880 1784-222255 and we will usually reply within one working day. Send us a WhatsApp message.