We pay our helper/nanny 500 a week, and she works around 30 hours a week. She has told us many stories about the agencies exploiting people that would make anyone cringe with disgust. It does happen in other places other than Indonesia.
Other's feel we are being too generous, but how can anyone feel comfortable leaving a child in the hands of a underpaid, overworked and resentful maid? I see her as part of the family, and would be paying twice that at home, the last thing I could do is take advantage of people, because I can!