Angela Xu / Shanghai Daily news

The first 30 of 68 ayis from Chongming Island arrived in downtown yesterday to fill the demand for domestic helpers during the Spring Festival holiday. The rest of the group will arrive over the next few days.
All of the domestic helpers are below the age of 50 and have received training in Chongming.
They will earn about 1,200 yuan (US$148) a month, and their salaries will be tripled during the weeklong holiday.
"The Chongming ayis, who have passed physical examinations, will all live in the homes of their employers. After the Spring Festival, they will decide whether to continue the work," said Zhou Juemin, general manager of the Jinguoyuan Service Center, one of the city's largest home service companies. "More than 100 locals have called to book ayis for the holiday so far."
With many migrant ayis heading back to their hometowns for the Spring Festival, the city always suffers a shortage of domestic helpers at this time of year.
"Our company alone is facing a shortage of about 200 domestic helpers," Zhou said.
The Chongming ayis were selected from 1,200 applicants who attended interviews set up by the Shanghai Home Service Association in Chongming last November.
"They have overcome the concept that it is shameful to work as an ayi in others' home. Besides, they also give up the reunion with their family and must learn to adapt to the living habits of their employers," said Zhang Jing, vice chairwoman of the Shanghai Women's Federation. "We should encourage them because many rural women still have few ways to earn money."
"I want to have more experience and may continue the job if things go on smoothly," said Qin Yu, 22. She and her mother will both work as ayis over the holiday.
"After the holiday, we can also get together with our family."
More househelpers will be recruited from other suburban districts of the city.