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Published on 17 Oct 2023 by Olivia G.
The bustling cosmopolitan city of Singapore is a place of endless opportunities, but it can also be a whirlwind of responsibilities and tight schedules. If you're considering hiring a domestic helper for the first time in Singapore, you're embarking on a journey that can significantly transform your work-life balance and overall quality of life. However, this process can be complex, with various legal, logistical, and cultural factors to consider. In this guide, we'll walk you through the requirements and general guidelines you must meet before you can hire a maid in Singapore.
A helper agency in Singapore serves as an essential intermediary, facilitating the recruitment and placement of domestic helpers for families in need of assistance. The Ministry of Manpower maid agency rating system plays a significant role in guiding employers by providing evaluations based on factors such as the agency's placement volume and retention rate, thereby helping employers choose a reliable agency.
Compliance with Singapore maid rules and regulations is mandatory for both agencies and employers, covering important areas such as working hours, rest days, and salary. These regulations ensure the protection and fair treatment of domestic helpers, fostering a respectful and professional working relationship between employers and their helpers.
Employer Eligibility
The Ministry of Manpower requires employers to meet the following criteria to be able to hire a maid:
- Be 21 years old and above.
- Not be an undischarged bankrupt.
- Have the mental capacity to fully understand and discharge your responsibility as an employer.
MOM also considers your overall health (you must not be diagnosed with medical conditions that would impair your ability to exercise supervision and control over the well-being of your helper) caregiving needs (e.g., young children or elderly family members) and financial ability to hire, maintain, and upkeep your helper in an acceptable accommodation.
For first-time employers, you are required to attend an Employer Orientation Programme (EOP) before you can apply for a Work Permit.
Helper Eligibility
Domestic helpers that want to work in Singapore must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a Work Permit:
- Female
- From 23 to below 50 years old during the Work Permit application (Helpers aged 50 and above can only renew their Work Permits until they are 60 years old).
- From an approved source country or region, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand.
- Minimum 8 years of formal education with a recognised certificate.
- Work at the employer’s NRIC-registered addresses.
- Attend the Settling-in Programme (SIP) if they are first-time helpers.
- Not be related to their employers.
- Not be in Singapore during the Work Permit application. Employers can only bring helpers into Singapore after they have received an IPA letter and bought a $5,000 security bond (this does not apply to Malaysian workers).
Health and Well-Being for Migrant Domestic Workers
As an employer, you are responsible for your helper’s overall health and well-being. This includes rest days, medical care when needed, and more.
Rest Days
Your domestic helper in Singapore is entitled to one rest day per week. You and your helper must come to a mutual agreement on which day of the week she should take her rest day. From January 1, 2023, all employers must ensure their MDWs have at least one rest day each month that cannot be compensated away.
If your MDW agrees to work on the remaining rest days in the month, you must compensate her with one of the following:
- At least 1 day's salary. This is an additional payment and is not counted into the MDW's basic salary.
- A replacement rest day taken within the same month.
Note: If your domestic helper is currently receiving compensation in-lieu of all her rest days (i.e. she has no rest days in a month), you must let her take at least 1 rest day a month from 1 January 2023 and discuss with her how her rest day will be taken. Update your MDW's number of rest days in FDW eService, after discussing with her how her rest day can be taken.
Rest days are flexible to meet the needs of both employers and domestic helpers in Singapore:
- The rest day can be taken as one full day or over two half days.
- The helper may choose to spend her rest day at home.
- If the helper is unable to take her rest day in a particular month, it can be deferred by up to one month. This means that the helper should take her rest day by the end of the subsequent month.
To find out more about the rest day requirement, read MOM's press release on mandatory rest days for migrant domestic workers.
Accommodation
Part of your responsibilities as an employer is to ensure that your helper has adequate space in your home. Her accommodation must meet the following requirements:
- Acceptable shelter: the accommodation must sufficiently protect your helper from elements such as rain, strong winds, and the sun.
- Safety: your helper must not sleep or rest near any dangerous structure or equipment that could potentially harm or hurt her.
- Sufficient ventilation: your MDW's accommodation must be adequately ventilated. Mechanical ventilation like an electrical fan must be provided if natural ventilation is not sufficient.
- Modesty: your domestic helper in Singapore must not sleep in the same room as a male adult or teenager. If you install video recording devices in your home, your helper must be informed about where they are placed. These devices must not be installed in areas that will compromise her privacy, e.g. where she sleeps, changes clothes, or the bathroom area.
- Space and privacy: you must provide your helper with a separate room in your home. If this is not possible, you must ensure that her accommodation has enough space and privacy.
- Basic necessities: you are required to provide basic amenities such as mattress, pillow, blanket, bathroom needs, and toiletries. Examples of toiletries include soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
Adequate Food
You are required to provide your helper with 3 meals a day. An example of a day’s food intake for a female engaged in moderate activity is as follows:
- Breakfast: 4 slices of bread with spread.
- Lunch: 1 bowl of rice + three-quarter cup of cooked vegetables + palm-sized amount of meat (fish/poultry/beef/lamb) + fruit
- Dinner: 1 bowl of rice + three-quarter cup of cooked vegetables + palm-sized amount of meat (fish/poultry/beef/lamb) + fruit
Be mindful of your helper's needs when it comes to sustenance. Do not force your MDW to eat food that she is not supposed to or is not comfortable with. For example, your helper may not be able to eat certain food due to her religious beliefs, or she may not be accustomed to your family’s dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian food or porridge).
Medical Care and Vaccination
As an employer, you are also responsible for your helper's medical needs. This includes:
- All medical costs, including hospitalisations and six-monthly medical examinations
- Medical and personal accident insurance
Domestic helpers in Singapore need to meet certain vaccination requirements. You must assist your MDW with keeping her vaccination status up-to-date and providing sufficient rest after vaccinations.
Open Communication and Family Integration
You MDW may experience homesickness and loneliness. You can help her cope with those feelings by teaching her how she could contact her family and how she could send letters home. Aside from this, you should also try your best to integrate your MDW into your family. You can do that by being patient and tolerant and making an effort to understand her background.
Helper Compensation
You must pay your domestic helper her salary every month. The salary must not be lower than what you declared to MOM.
When and How to Pay
You must pay your FDW her salary every month, no later than 7 days after the last day of the salary period. The salary period must not exceed 1 month.
Pay Online
We encourage you to pay your helper's salary directly into her bank account. You must pay her via direct bank transfer if she requests for it and her account should not be a joint account with you. Provide your helper assistance to open a bank account if she does not yet have one.
Pay Cash
If you pay by cash, you must:
- Keep a record of the salary payments.
- Be able to produce salary records, if requested.
Both you and your FDW must sign each salary payment record to confirm that payment was made.
Helper's Salary Keeping and Adjustments
From 1 January 2019, as an employer, you must not keep your FDW’s salary or any other money belonging to her, even if she requests for it.
You must not keep her bank book or bank card.
You should consider raising your FDW’s salary periodically as a reward for good performance and loyalty in service. You should also consider giving the FDW a contract gratuity. This money can be paid to the FDW when she ends her contract with you. This incentive, which both of you should agree on, could motivate her to perform better.
Insurance and Bond
Before hiring a domestic helper in Singapore, understanding the importance of securing the right insurance coverage is essential for both employer and helper. A comprehensive maid insurance comparison will help you find the best option for your needs, with many plans offering varying levels of maid insurance coverage. Some of the top providers include NTUC Income Maid Insurance, FWD Maid Insurance (which often has an FWD Maid Insurance promo code), Insurance Market SG, Income Maid Insurance, Etiqa Maid Insurance, and DBS Maid Insurance.
For those on a budget, searching for the cheapest maid insurance Singapore can help manage costs without compromising on necessary protection. Employers are also required to provide a performance bond Singapore maid and ensure they have proper FDW insurance in place. It’s crucial to review options to find the best maid insurance in Singapore and to guarantee comprehensive coverage for your helper’s medical, accidental, and work-related needs.
Levy
It's also essential to understand the financial obligations related to the maid levy. This monthly government fee applies to all employers of foreign domestic workers. Depending on your household situation, you may be eligible for a maid levy concession, particularly if you are hiring a helper to care for an elderly family member or a child. Employers can easily pay the maid levy online or through services like AXS, which offers various payment channels. If you're wondering how to pay the maid levy at AXS, you can visit any AXS station or opt for a more convenient approach by learning how to pay the maid levy via online AXS. Additionally, certain circumstances, such as the helper’s extended home leave, may allow you to apply for a levy waiver for a foreign domestic worker, reducing costs temporarily. Understanding these processes helps ensure smooth financial management when hiring a domestic helper.
Other Key Aspects of Hiring a Domestic Helper
When hiring a domestic helper in Singapore, there are several important factors to consider to ensure a smooth process and a positive working relationship. One crucial element is the MOM rules for domestic helper, which outline the standards and guidelines for managing and interacting with your helper. These rules help create a respectful and balanced working environment, making it easier for both parties to understand their roles and expectations.
Additionally, it's essential to be aware of maid agency fees as these can significantly impact your overall budget. Maid agency fees vary depending on the agency and the services they provide, so it's wise to compare different agencies and understand what is included in their fees. By being informed about both the mom rules and the associated costs, you can make well-rounded decisions that benefit both you and your new domestic helper.
Hiring a domestic helper in Singapore can significantly improve your work-life balance and household management. However, it's crucial to follow the eligibility criteria and requirements and adhere to the guidelines set by the Ministry of Manpower to ensure a successful and harmonious working relationship. By understanding the fundamental prerequisites and following these guidelines, you can create a supportive and respectful environment for your domestic helper, benefiting both your household and your helper's well-being.
The bustling cosmopolitan city of Singapore is a place of endless opportunities, but it can also be a whirlwind of responsibilities and tight schedules. If you're considering hiring a domestic helper for the first time in Singapore, you're embarking on a journey that can significantly transform your work-life balance and overall quality of life. However, this process can be complex, with various legal, logistical, and cultural factors to consider. In this guide, we'll walk you through the requirements and general guidelines you must meet before you can hire a maid in Singapore.
A helper agency in Singapore serves as an essential intermediary, facilitating the recruitment and placement of domestic helpers for families in need of assistance. The Ministry of Manpower maid agency rating system plays a significant role in guiding employers by providing evaluations based on factors such as the agency's placement volume and retention rate, thereby helping employers choose a reliable agency.
Compliance with Singapore maid rules and regulations is mandatory for both agencies and employers, covering important areas such as working hours, rest days, and salary. These regulations ensure the protection and fair treatment of domestic helpers, fostering a respectful and professional working relationship between employers and their helpers.
Employer Eligibility
The Ministry of Manpower requires employers to meet the following criteria to be able to hire a maid:
- Be 21 years old and above.
- Not be an undischarged bankrupt.
- Have the mental capacity to fully understand and discharge your responsibility as an employer.
MOM also considers your overall health (you must not be diagnosed with medical conditions that would impair your ability to exercise supervision and control over the well-being of your helper) caregiving needs (e.g., young children or elderly family members) and financial ability to hire, maintain, and upkeep your helper in an acceptable accommodation.
For first-time employers, you are required to attend an Employer Orientation Programme (EOP) before you can apply for a Work Permit.
Helper Eligibility
Domestic helpers that want to work in Singapore must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a Work Permit:
- Female
- From 23 to below 50 years old during the Work Permit application (Helpers aged 50 and above can only renew their Work Permits until they are 60 years old).
- From an approved source country or region, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand.
- Minimum 8 years of formal education with a recognised certificate.
- Work at the employer’s NRIC-registered addresses.
- Attend the Settling-in Programme (SIP) if they are first-time helpers.
- Not be related to their employers.
- Not be in Singapore during the Work Permit application. Employers can only bring helpers into Singapore after they have received an IPA letter and bought a $5,000 security bond (this does not apply to Malaysian workers).
Health and Well-Being for Migrant Domestic Workers
As an employer, you are responsible for your helper’s overall health and well-being. This includes rest days, medical care when needed, and more.
Rest Days
Your domestic helper in Singapore is entitled to one rest day per week. You and your helper must come to a mutual agreement on which day of the week she should take her rest day. From January 1, 2023, all employers must ensure their MDWs have at least one rest day each month that cannot be compensated away.
If your MDW agrees to work on the remaining rest days in the month, you must compensate her with one of the following:
- At least 1 day's salary. This is an additional payment and is not counted into the MDW's basic salary.
- A replacement rest day taken within the same month.
Note: If your domestic helper is currently receiving compensation in-lieu of all her rest days (i.e. she has no rest days in a month), you must let her take at least 1 rest day a month from 1 January 2023 and discuss with her how her rest day will be taken. Update your MDW's number of rest days in FDW eService, after discussing with her how her rest day can be taken.
Rest days are flexible to meet the needs of both employers and domestic helpers in Singapore:
- The rest day can be taken as one full day or over two half days.
- The helper may choose to spend her rest day at home.
- If the helper is unable to take her rest day in a particular month, it can be deferred by up to one month. This means that the helper should take her rest day by the end of the subsequent month.
To find out more about the rest day requirement, read MOM's press release on mandatory rest days for migrant domestic workers.
Accommodation
Part of your responsibilities as an employer is to ensure that your helper has adequate space in your home. Her accommodation must meet the following requirements:
- Acceptable shelter: the accommodation must sufficiently protect your helper from elements such as rain, strong winds, and the sun.
- Safety: your helper must not sleep or rest near any dangerous structure or equipment that could potentially harm or hurt her.
- Sufficient ventilation: your MDW's accommodation must be adequately ventilated. Mechanical ventilation like an electrical fan must be provided if natural ventilation is not sufficient.
- Modesty: your domestic helper in Singapore must not sleep in the same room as a male adult or teenager. If you install video recording devices in your home, your helper must be informed about where they are placed. These devices must not be installed in areas that will compromise her privacy, e.g. where she sleeps, changes clothes, or the bathroom area.
- Space and privacy: you must provide your helper with a separate room in your home. If this is not possible, you must ensure that her accommodation has enough space and privacy.
- Basic necessities: you are required to provide basic amenities such as mattress, pillow, blanket, bathroom needs, and toiletries. Examples of toiletries include soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
Adequate Food
You are required to provide your helper with 3 meals a day. An example of a day’s food intake for a female engaged in moderate activity is as follows:
- Breakfast: 4 slices of bread with spread.
- Lunch: 1 bowl of rice + three-quarter cup of cooked vegetables + palm-sized amount of meat (fish/poultry/beef/lamb) + fruit
- Dinner: 1 bowl of rice + three-quarter cup of cooked vegetables + palm-sized amount of meat (fish/poultry/beef/lamb) + fruit
Be mindful of your helper's needs when it comes to sustenance. Do not force your MDW to eat food that she is not supposed to or is not comfortable with. For example, your helper may not be able to eat certain food due to her religious beliefs, or she may not be accustomed to your family’s dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian food or porridge).
Medical Care and Vaccination
As an employer, you are also responsible for your helper's medical needs. This includes:
- All medical costs, including hospitalisations and six-monthly medical examinations
- Medical and personal accident insurance
Domestic helpers in Singapore need to meet certain vaccination requirements. You must assist your MDW with keeping her vaccination status up-to-date and providing sufficient rest after vaccinations.
Open Communication and Family Integration
You MDW may experience homesickness and loneliness. You can help her cope with those feelings by teaching her how she could contact her family and how she could send letters home. Aside from this, you should also try your best to integrate your MDW into your family. You can do that by being patient and tolerant and making an effort to understand her background.
Helper Compensation
You must pay your domestic helper her salary every month. The salary must not be lower than what you declared to MOM.
When and How to Pay
You must pay your FDW her salary every month, no later than 7 days after the last day of the salary period. The salary period must not exceed 1 month.
Pay Online
We encourage you to pay your helper's salary directly into her bank account. You must pay her via direct bank transfer if she requests for it and her account should not be a joint account with you. Provide your helper assistance to open a bank account if she does not yet have one.
Pay Cash
If you pay by cash, you must:
- Keep a record of the salary payments.
- Be able to produce salary records, if requested.
Both you and your FDW must sign each salary payment record to confirm that payment was made.
Helper's Salary Keeping and Adjustments
From 1 January 2019, as an employer, you must not keep your FDW’s salary or any other money belonging to her, even if she requests for it.
You must not keep her bank book or bank card.
You should consider raising your FDW’s salary periodically as a reward for good performance and loyalty in service. You should also consider giving the FDW a contract gratuity. This money can be paid to the FDW when she ends her contract with you. This incentive, which both of you should agree on, could motivate her to perform better.
Insurance and Bond
Before hiring a domestic helper in Singapore, understanding the importance of securing the right insurance coverage is essential for both employer and helper. A comprehensive maid insurance comparison will help you find the best option for your needs, with many plans offering varying levels of maid insurance coverage. Some of the top providers include NTUC Income Maid Insurance, FWD Maid Insurance (which often has an FWD Maid Insurance promo code), Insurance Market SG, Income Maid Insurance, Etiqa Maid Insurance, and DBS Maid Insurance.
For those on a budget, searching for the cheapest maid insurance Singapore can help manage costs without compromising on necessary protection. Employers are also required to provide a performance bond Singapore maid and ensure they have proper FDW insurance in place. It’s crucial to review options to find the best maid insurance in Singapore and to guarantee comprehensive coverage for your helper’s medical, accidental, and work-related needs.
Levy
It's also essential to understand the financial obligations related to the maid levy. This monthly government fee applies to all employers of foreign domestic workers. Depending on your household situation, you may be eligible for a maid levy concession, particularly if you are hiring a helper to care for an elderly family member or a child. Employers can easily pay the maid levy online or through services like AXS, which offers various payment channels. If you're wondering how to pay the maid levy at AXS, you can visit any AXS station or opt for a more convenient approach by learning how to pay the maid levy via online AXS. Additionally, certain circumstances, such as the helper’s extended home leave, may allow you to apply for a levy waiver for a foreign domestic worker, reducing costs temporarily. Understanding these processes helps ensure smooth financial management when hiring a domestic helper.
Other Key Aspects of Hiring a Domestic Helper
When hiring a domestic helper in Singapore, there are several important factors to consider to ensure a smooth process and a positive working relationship. One crucial element is the MOM rules for domestic helper, which outline the standards and guidelines for managing and interacting with your helper. These rules help create a respectful and balanced working environment, making it easier for both parties to understand their roles and expectations.
Additionally, it's essential to be aware of maid agency fees as these can significantly impact your overall budget. Maid agency fees vary depending on the agency and the services they provide, so it's wise to compare different agencies and understand what is included in their fees. By being informed about both the mom rules and the associated costs, you can make well-rounded decisions that benefit both you and your new domestic helper.
Hiring a domestic helper in Singapore can significantly improve your work-life balance and household management. However, it's crucial to follow the eligibility criteria and requirements and adhere to the guidelines set by the Ministry of Manpower to ensure a successful and harmonious working relationship. By understanding the fundamental prerequisites and following these guidelines, you can create a supportive and respectful environment for your domestic helper, benefiting both your household and your helper's well-being.