From Voluntary Support to a Committed Team
When we first started GlobalAssist in Madagascar, we didn’t pay any salaries. Locals from various regions helped us voluntarily via WhatsApp, connecting us to trusted service providers. They offered their support simply because they liked the idea and wanted to help. This early generosity highlighted something we continue to see every day: Malagasy people are incredibly kind, helpful, and community-driven.
Realizing We Needed More Than "Anyone"
Our first idea for hiring was to pay the local equivalent of minimum wage—similar to what someone might earn in a restaurant. After all, we assumed we just needed people who were available. But we quickly realized that the role of a Booking Manager required much more: fluency in English and French, strong writing skills, punctuality, precision, professionalism, and excellent customer service.
The Setup: Freelancers, Not Employees
GlobalAssist is based in Dubai. In countries like Madagascar, we work with local "e-commerce freelancers," not formal employees. As we learned from our legal lectures at the University of Antananarivo, this type of work is unregulated and doesn’t require us to pay taxes, insurance, or social security. This gives us the freedom to set wages according to value and performance.
Raising the Bar: From Minimum Wage to Motivated Professionals
The minimum wage in Madagascar is about €50 per month. Our starting point was double that—already more than many hotel or restaurant jobs pay. Given that we offer remote work, flexible scheduling, low-stress responsibilities, and a supportive team culture, we believed this was more than fair.
However, when we began recruiting, we realized that top applicants expected more. To attract the best talent, we raised the base pay again. When results exceeded expectations, we added bonuses. Eventually, these bonuses nearly doubled salaries, and so we decided to simplify by increasing the hourly wage instead.
Setting Boundaries and Encouraging Work-Life Balance
To our surprise, new team members were working 31 days a month without breaks. They never took sick days or time off. While this dedication was admirable, it wasn’t sustainable. I myself had worked like this in the past and regretted it. So we set a rule: no more than 6 days a week. To balance this, we raised hourly rates again to offset the lost hours and encourage healthier routines.
Introducing Commissions for Fairness and Motivation
As our team grew, some Booking Managers clearly outperformed others in terms of sales. It didn’t feel right to pay everyone the same regardless of their contributions. To address this, we introduced a small commission per booking. This not only rewards high performers but also motivates the team to aim higher, helping us fulfill our mission to improve lives in Madagascar.
Yes, We Pay Up to €500 Per Month—And That’s Intentional
Some people have told us that paying up to €500 per month—10 times the minimum wage—is excessive, especially in a country where doctors earn less. But we didn’t start GlobalAssist to create just another business. This is a social project with the goal of improving lives. Keeping money in Madagascar, with Malagasy people—both our suppliers and staff—is central to our mission.
And our team has more than earned it. As someone from Switzerland, I can honestly say that our Booking Managers in Madagascar work just as well—if not better—than Swiss professionals. They are dedicated, accurate, and highly customer-focused.
Fair Wages = Great Service
Our salaries depend on hours worked and results delivered. That’s how it should be. Good wages lead to happy, motivated team members who provide excellent service. Whether it's managing bookings or resolving cancellations, our clients are consistently amazed by the professionalism of our Booking Managers.
A Small Step With a Big Impact
Though salaries in Madagascar remain among the lowest in the world, we believe that paying fair and attractive wages makes a difference—even if it's just a small step toward change. If we can slightly raise the average wage in Madagascar and set an example of ethical remote employment, then we’re already contributing to something bigger.
And most importantly: our team deserves it.
