Employing Domestic Workers

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Employing Domestic Workers

Employment of a domestic worker, commonly referred to in Singapore as a maid, can be organised through a maid agency (see the AngloFILE from the link above).

Alternatively, the prospective employer can find a domestic worker who needs to change employers and arrange for their employment to be transferred. Employers leaving Singapore often advertise for a new employer on behalf of their domestic help on notice boards at many of the food supermarkets. The existing employer will have to make a formal transfer through procedures laid down by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Using a Singpass on the MOM website, a prospective employer is able to check the prospective employee's work record to see how many employer's the worker has had and how long the worker stayed with that employer.

• Singaporeans and permanent residents may employ a domestic worker
• Dependant pass holders may also apply, although details of the spouse's employment pass will be required
• A foreigner who is on social visit such as on holiday or short-term visit to Singapore is not allowed to employ a domestic worker

There are strict procedures laid down by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) that must be followed when employing domestic labour.

To Employ Domestic Workers through an Agency

An Agency will handle all the paperwork involved in either transferring a domestic worker from another employer or bringing a new worker from overseas.

Agencies will also offer help in finding a suitable candidate, and some will guarantee a replacement without charge if the worker proves unsuitable.

Another method commonly used by many Singaporeans is to contact NTUC Insurance, a Government body, through its web service.

To Employ Domestic Workers without using an Agency

Full details on employing a foreign domestic worker are available on the MOM website.

• For information: Click here

The Employers' Orientation Programme (EOP) is for all new employers of domestic workers. Employers can choose to do the Employers' Orientation Programme in a classroom setting or online. This has to be completed before hiring a domestic worker. 

• For full details: Click here

Prospective employers must apply for a work permit for their domestic worker. The required forms for application to either transfer a domestic worker or to bring a new domestic worker into Singapore can be downloaded.

If the domestic worker is working in Singapore for the first time the employer must obtain an In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter or "Letter of Notification to bring Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) into Singapore".

Forms can be filled in online provided that you have a SingPass (see below), otherwise submit them at any SingPost post office or MOM-appointed Collecting Agent.

If the employer is currently overseas, they will have to provide a Singapore residential address when applying for the Work Permit. If the Work Permit application is successful, an In-Principle Approval (IPA) will be sent to the local residential address.

Once a domestic worker is granted a work permit, the government will send a notice every six months to the employer, requiring the domestic worker to have a medical examination.

A work permit is usually issued for two years subject to the validity of the foreign domestic worker's passport and can be renewed for further two years. A notice is usually sent out by the Ministry of Manpower six weeks prior to expiry.

The Government holds the employer responsible for the domestic worker's actions. For instance, should the domestic worker fall pregnant while in employment, they will be deported and the employer could be fined; likewise if the worker leave the job of their own choice and fails to leave the country.

Employers may send a domestic worker on training courses such as First Aid, computer, or cooking courses.

An employer may employ two maids but must request approval from the Ministry of Manpower.

Fees and payments

• A small administrative fee will be charged for every Work Permit application submitted
• The employer must pay the government levy for a domestic worker. The levy is adjusted from time to time in order to control the demand for such workers. See the MOM website for current rates.
• An insurance bond is required. The bond can be arranged through a bank, or use the Government NTUC Insurance agency's web services (click on "guest" and then click on "mymaid").
• Some domestic workers will also need a bond for the Philippine Embassy, usually required when renewing passports which are only valid for five years. This can be organised in the same way, through a bank or through the Government NTUC agency as above.
• Personal accident insurance with a minimum coverage of S$10,000 must be purchased
• Contact the NTUC for Maid Insurance
  Tel: 6336 9311 / 6788 5255
• Medical cover for the worker must also be taken out

Domestic Workers Transfered from one Employer to Another

• The required form for application to transfer a domestic worker can be downloaded from the Ministry of manpower website: Click here

The effective transfer date for a foreign domestic worker is usually seven days from the Work Permit application's approval date.

To request a change of the transfer date, both the new and current employers have to agree on a new transfer date and consent to the change.

If there is a need for employers to defer the transfer date and the new transfer date falls within seven calendar days from the original scheduled date, the new employer can request a Work Permit Issuance via WP Online. However, if the employers need to defer the transfer date beyond the seven calendar days from the original scheduled date, the new employer is required to fax the following documents to the Work Pass Division before they can request for Work Permit Issuance via WP Online:

Fax the following:

• New Employer's Request Letter for a change of transfer date
• Current Employer's Consent Letter to change the original scheduled transfer date to another date (new date must be clearly indicated)

to:

• Work Pass Division
  Fax: 6317 1329

The new employer will receive a reply by fax from the Work Pass Division. The current employer of the Foreign Domestic Worker is required to pay the Foreign Worker's Levy until the day before the Work Permit is issued under the new employer's name.

Conditions for Domestic Workers

• A foreign domestic worker must be between 23 and 50 years old when first entering Singapore and may work up to the age of 60
• The worker must have 8 years' minimum formal education and provide proof of education from certificates
• The worker must pass a MOM-stipulated test and attend the compulsory Safety Awareness Course (SAC), if required, within three working days of arrival in Singapore, before a work permit can be granted
• A foreign domestic worker can enter Singapore only after the employer has (applicable to first-time foreign domestic workers in Singapore) from the Work Pass Division (WPD), furnished a security deposit in Banker's/Insurance Guarantee and purchased a Personal Accident Insurance with a minimum coverage of S$10,000
• Within 14 days of arrival the foreign domestic worker must undergo a medical, after which a medical is required every six months. The paperwork will be issued to the employer

Terms of Employment

There is no minimum wage for a domestic helper, no minimum days off and no guidelines for holidays. However, expect to:

• Pay between S$350 and S$550 per calendar month 
• Give every Sunday off
• Grant at least one month paid leave plus return air ticket to the country of origin every two years
• Note: while the domestic worker is on holiday and out of Singapore CPF is refundable. The following form will need to be completed and submitted: Click here (PDF) or online: Click here
• It is common practice to give a 13th month or bonus to their salary
• All food, lodging and medical care must be funded by the employer
• The domestic worker must only work as a domestic worker. It is illegal to ask a domestic worker to do another form of employment

Be clear on what the domestic worker's duties are. Have a written contract and record all payments.

Be aware that some domestic workers will have little knowledge of washing machines or other equipment. Understand too that their command of English may be poor and they will have a friend to translate for them. Put things in writing and demonstrate where possible.

SingPass

SingPass stands for Singapore Personal Access. Singapore citizens and permanent residents, valid Employment & Dependant Pass holders, Valid S-Pass holders and eligible valid Work Permit holders may apply for a SingPass.

• Registration can be made on the SingPass website: Click here
• A password will be set up to allow transactions with various Government online services.

A request for a SingPass to be mailed to the applicant can be made via the Online Request service. The applicant will require a NRIC or FIN number and the date of work permit/employment pass.

A SingPass password will be mailed to the applicant within a few days.

An applicant can check the progress of the application on the site.

Further Information

• Information on employing a foreign domestic worker from the MOM website