Introduction:

Most households in Singapore find it challenging to combine their obligations to their families and careers as the number of dual-income households rises. Every household views hiring a maid or helper as a necessity rather than a luxury this issue. A foreign domestic worker’s (FDW) or transfer maid’s benefits include assisting families in caring for their young or elderly family. Additionally, they are in charge of keeping their employers’ residences tidy. 

What are the requirements to get a maid in Singapore?

You are competent in managing your household, but there are times when you need extra help to take some of the burdens off of you, especially when you need to concentrate on your job. If you don’t have relatives available to help with the cleaning, cooking, and child care, you’ll likely turn to a maid service in Singapore, Homekeeper, for assistance.

It is hardly surprising the rise in prosperity and the number of parents who earn two incomes put childcare and household chores in the skilled hands of strangers, leading to a greater reliance on foreign domestic workers. There were 252,600 foreign domestic workers in Singapore as of June 2020, up from roughly 201,000 a decade earlier. The expanding economy and in-demand labor are making hiring a maid necessary.

But you should be aware that, to your credentials, hiring a foreign domestic worker comes with several obligations. Before hiring a maid, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will determine your eligibility to use a foreign domestic worker. We’ll go over the requirements that prospective employers like you must fulfill to hire a maid.

Main eligibility:

You must be at least 21 years old, be out of debt, and have the mental capacity to understand your obligations as an employer to be eligible to hire a foreign domestic worker. It’s essential to keep in mind that while they are working for you, you will be accountable for their welfare. However, the ministry will consider your financial situation when reviewing your employment application. It is to ensure that you can provide your foreign domestic worker with the support and care they need in a comfortable setting. Additionally, if you hire a foreign domestic worker, you will need to arrange for a work permit before they arrive in Singapore. You must, therefore, be prepared to cover the cost of hiring a foreign maid.

First-time hiring:

If you’ve never hired a foreign domestic worker, you’ve come to the right place. Attending an Employer Orientation Program is required before you can apply to engage (EOP). You must follow the program two working days before filing the work permit application, so keep that in mind. Why must you participate in the program? In any case, the purpose of the 3-hour orientation program is to help you comprehend your obligations as a foreign domestic worker’s employer if you’ve changed your maid more than three times in the past year.

Bringing on a second maid:

The MOM will consider your application if you need to hire another maid to help with your caregiving needs and you have two children under 18 or a parent or parent-in-law over 60. The ministry will also consider your financial ability to hire and respectably care for your maid when assessing your application.

• The minimum salary required to hire a maid
• Although your household’s income or monthly pay is a requirement, the MOM hasn’t established a certain quantity. The following application will use to evaluate your application:
• Married couples’ combined income.
• Joint Income Scheme: Your income plus the incomes of all other members of your immediate family.
• Seniors without a source of income who do not live with any working adults are eligible for the sponsorship program.

How many maids can I employ in Singapore?

While taking care of your family, maintaining a spotless home requires a lot of work and dedication. Working parents or other persons must look for alternatives due to Singapore’s fast-paced atmosphere to support their household. The services of maid agencies can help with that. Singapore has experienced an increase in the number of foreign domestic workers over time, going from more than 50,000 in 1990 to more than 250,000 in June 2020. It proves that roughly one in five Singaporean households employ a maid to assist them with cooking, housework, and other household duties. As Singapore gradually reopens, working parents return to the workforce, children return to school, and senior homes require more help managing daily operations. It demonstrates the increased reliance on immigrant domestic employees.

What can a maid not do in Singapore?

The Ministry of Manpower states that it is illegal for a maid to work for another person or at a different residential address. It means that even if your maid has some free time and wishes to supplement her income, you are not permitted to enable her to work Part-time helper for anybody else. She is also not permitted to carry out any tasks for her sponsoring job beyond housekeeping and caring for others. Singaporean law may hold you accountable if your employee gets found to be performing temporary or non-domestic work. If you get prohibited from being an employer in the future, you won’t be able to hire domestic help.

Gardening, car washing, maintenance work, and teaching are examples of tasks that are not permitted because they do not qualify as domestic labor. The Ministry of Manpower lists a few prohibited maid tasks, such as cooking for her employer’s restaurant, working at a food stand, or cleaning her employer’s store.

In 2005, when a maid get requested to serve customers at a food stand, her employer was charged with improperly dispatching her maid. A S$3,000 punishment get imposed on the employer, and her $5,000 security deposit was also lost.

How do I employ helpers in Singapore?

Many Singaporeans no longer view hiring a domestic worker as a luxury but a necessity. Many Singaporean families are turning to domestic help to lessen the load of their daily household obligations and rise in the number of dual-income parents brought on by the rising cost of living and the aging population. Before you immediately begin hiring help, you should consider a few things, such as cost, requirements, and other factors.

Take part in the employer orientation program (EOP):

One of the conditions set forth by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for all companies who want to hire maids is attendance at the EOP. Additionally, you must be at least 21 years old, not be bankrupt, and have the financial and mental capacity to hire a maid. Remember that only first-time employers or frequent maid change to visit the EOP. The cost varies from S$35 to S$60 depending on whether you complete it in person or online.

Locate and eliminate qualified applicants:

The challenging part now is locating and selecting qualified people. Since every employer has a unique situation, we failed to know how you should filter for home conditions. You are the authority. However, the maid gets obligated to comply with the MOM’s requests regardless of her situation. These details include the candidate’s gender, age, nationality, and educational background. She also needs to participate in a program called the Settling-In Programme if this is her first time working as a maid, but this is only necessary after you have hired her.

Where identify these prospects in the first place is the logical follow-up query. Employers who choose to handle things themselves already have someone in mind, usually a maid who comes highly recommended by a friend or family member. These maids are referred to as “transfer maids” because they have experience working in Singapore. You can use internet databases as well. Be aware that transfer helper and those who are still abroad possibly fall under this category. Depending on their status, you would follow some procedures to hire someone. You might also have to pay a small fee to access these databases.

Negotiate terms:

It’s time to speak with the maids directly and discuss the terms when you’ve reduced your list. Again, we won’t go further into this phase because your perfect maid expectations will depend on your household’s circumstances. The maid’s circumstances, including her religion, family situation, skills, needs for special accommodations, and requests for off days, should also be considered.

It’s essential to state your expectations, like in any successful negotiation. However, remember that as potential employers, you are most definitely not on an equal footing. Because of your position of power, you have a lot of responsibility, as the expression goes. Avoid misusing it and damaging Singaporeans’ reputations.

Obtain a new work permit.

You’ve discovered a qualified candidate, time to take care of the paperwork. To apply for a new work visa for your prospective maid, visit this official MOM page. The validity of each work permit is two years. The page also explains how the rules change based on whether your maid is a transfer maid or still working abroad.

Sign employment and safety agreements with your new housekeeper. After the above problems get handled and the work visa is granted, a few conditions still need to be satisfied. The MOM demands that you sign a safety agreement before she begins working for you. The MOM website has templates available in seven different languages.

Last but not least, even though maids get not covered by the Employment Act, you get strongly advised to have her sign an employment contract. Essential details like pay, how much notice are required, and the number of vacation days per month should mention. The example template that follows can use.

Can you have 2 helpers in Singapore?

Having an extra set of hands will greatly simplify her life and improve the caliber of her job. A growing number of houses in Singapore have chosen to employ two or more maids in addition to their staff because hiring FDWs is becoming more prevalent. Eighty thousand employers, according to the Straits Times, employ many maids. The luxury of having two extra sets of hands at home is not available to everyone, though. Consider the advice below if you’re thinking about hiring a second maid.

Who can?

If you have any of the following, you may be qualified to recruit a second helper, according to the Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MOM): At least two young people under the age of 18. a parent or parent-in-law who is currently living with you and is older than 60. You must also provide the two FDWs with enough sleeping space and accommodations.

The method:

You must send a copy of your children’s birth certificates, a copy of your parent’s or parent-in-identity law’s cards, and your spouse’s birth certificate to apply for a Work Permit for a second maid. Typically, the company you hire via can arrange for this.

Cost:

Employing a second FDW would cost the same as hiring a single FDW. Keeping in mind that if you have to pay a salary, a levy, and housing costs, your expenses may effectively double.

How much is the salary of a maid in Singapore?

Approximately 245,000 maids are employed in Singapore at any given time, with one in five homes doing so. In Singapore, hiring a maid involves more than just paying a salary. You’ll also need to deal with several other issues and costs, which we’ll discuss in this article.

• • Salary range

• domestic worker levy

• • Working and rest days

• Living expenses

• One-Off Fees

• Maid placement fee/loan

Salary range:

In Singapore, a domestic worker might earn between S$400 and S$650 per month. However, depending on the nationality of your maid and the agency, this fee might be lower or higher. According to the nationalities of the maids, here is a breakdown of the expected minimum monthly wages:

Thailand: S$450

Malaysia: S$570

South Africa: S$497

Malaysia: S$550

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) permits Singaporeans to employ MDWs from nations other than those mentioned above, including Thailand, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, Malaysia, Macau, and Thailand.

A maid levy:

Employers in Singapore are required to pay the maid levy every month to employ a foreign domestic worker. The fee aids in reducing some of the expenses related to Migrant Domestic Worker in Singapore’s support and training programs. Singapore currently charges a maid levy of $300 per month. For every additional MDW employed, the levy rises to S$450. You may apply the levy concessions fee if you fail to pay the maid levy. Employers unable to pay the full monthly maid fee may be eligible for a concessionary rate.

Days of work and relaxation:

Singapore law grants maids one day off every week, or eight days off in a row, every two months. Each day, they must get at least 12 hours of sleep, including seven hours of unbroken sleep at night. The maid may not force to work on her day off by the employer, but if assistance is required, it may be. If so, they must pay additional money equal to one day’s salary. Two additional days would cost about S$46, assuming she gets paid S$600 each month. Employers that force their maids to work extra hours without paying them provide them enough time to recuperate before allowing them to go home or engage in other activities.

Living costs:

Food, lodging, and other incidentals must consider when figuring out a domestic helper’s living expenses.An average domestic worker spends about $200 S per month on food. The amount could vary based on her dietary restrictions and preferences. For instance, if your assistant is a vegetarian, you might need to budget more for food costs. Additionally, these expenditures may change based on how your household spends money. For instance, your costs would be higher if your family frequently takes holidays with your maid and enjoys dining out.

One-off costs:

When hiring a maid, in addition to your monthly recurring fee, you’ll also have to pay for various one-time expenses like Personal accident insurance, flights, a medical exam, an employment agency fee, and application fees. The ideal option is to use a reliable maid agency if you’re hiring a maid for the first time and don’t have a particular person in mind. You can get advice on choosing the perfect help depending on your demands from the suitable maid agency. The maid service will assist you in handling all payments for your maid and processing the relevant paperwork. Most agencies charge a non-refundable fee between S$1,000 and S$3,000 to cover administrative expenditures. Your first month’s payment to the maid may also include the agency fee.

Loan/placement fee for maids:

Many companies will ask you to pay a placement fee upfront when hiring a maid. It is often equal to your maid’s first month’s wage and intended to pay for the administrative expenses associated with getting her a job, training her, and getting her a physical. Because you will deduct the loan repayment amount from the maid’s paycheck over the first few months, additional placement fees and maid loans get not considered part of your expenses.

What is the maximum age for maids in Singapore?

A foreign domestic worker (FDW) must meet age, nationality, and educational requirements to grant a Work Permit. The FDW can legitimately work as a maid in Singapore with the permit.

Who qualifies:

These conditions must be met by the foreign domestic helper you recruit, whether you do so personally or via a maid service in Singapore:

Age:

The age range at the time of application: is 23 to 50.

Nationality:

Origin in a country or territory gets accepted as a source, such as Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, or Thailand.

Education:

Eight years of formal education and a diploma get recognized.

The FDW must additionally:

• Occupy a position at the place of residence listed on your NRIC.
• If she is a first-time FDW, go to the setting-­in program.
• While submitting the initial work permit application, you must not be in Singapore. She shouldn’t arrive until you’ve received authorization and spent $5,000 on a security bond.
• Notably, this does not apply to domestic workers from Malaysia.
• Qualifications for new FDWs
• A first-time domestic worker has never previously worked as an FDW in Singapore. Among them are FDWs who:

Has no experience working as an FDW for the MOM Work Pass Division.

A Work Permit card but no Work Permit records with MOM, or she possesses both but has never worked in Singapore.

How many times can I change maid in Singapore?

Finding the ideal foreign domestic worker (FDW) for your family can be challenging, and it may tempt you to try out a few domestic workers before settling on the correct one. However, there may be drawbacks if you regularly switch out your foreign domestic help. In the section below, we look at what can go wrong if you change your domestic help frequently, why it occurs, and what you can do to increase your FDW retention rate.

Having issues with the Ministry of Labor:

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is concerned when domestic workers are changed more than three times each year. If you intend to engage a fourth domestic helper within a year, you will deem a Frequent Change Employer. Either meet with the Ministry of Manpower in person or go through the Employers’ Orientation Programme, which costs an average of S$32.25, before you can do so.

Possible Financial Loss:

Since hiring one is already expensive, it has no surprise that adding more domestic workers will raise the cost. You will also be responsible for paying repatriation, replacement, or rehiring costs, maid agency fees, and the price of a new medical insurance policy to termination fees. However, if you are firing your employee due to unreasonable demands or minor annoyances, the costs might not justify. Termination costs outweigh the costs if your domestic worker is damaging your home. The costs involved with hiring and onboarding one FDW get listed in the table below.

Loss of Life Quality:

Along with financial and legal repercussions, a loss of quality of life may occur from a workforce continually shifting. Up to a few months may require training your new FDW, which may require time away from work, assistance with her responsibilities, and support while she adjusts to your home and Singapore. As a result, if you hire three new staff in a year, you could need to spend a year training them, delaying work on other projects.

How many days of house leave for maid Singapore?

Days of rest:

Every week, your MDW is entitled to one rest day. The day of the week she will take her rest day must be decided upon jointly by you and your MDW. Beginning on January 1, 2023, all employers get required to guarantee that their MDWs get at least one unpaid rest day per month. You must pay your MDW one of the following benefits if she consents to work on the remaining rest days in the month:

• It is important to remember that this payment is supplementary and is not a part of the MDW’s base salary.
• A day of rest gets substituted within the same month.

Flexible rest days can use to satisfy employer and MDW requirements:

• The rest day can divide into two half days or one full day.
• If the MDW doesn’t take her rest day during a particular month, it may be moved forward by up to one month. By the end of the following month, it mandates that the MDW take a day off.
• Read the news release on necessary rest days for migrant domestic workers to learn more about the requirement for rest days.
• Employers can use our online feedback form if they need further details or guidance about the rest day arrangement.

Can I bring my own maid to Singapore?

Article 18 of the Philippine Labor Code, Republic Act No. 10022, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Administrative Order No. 196, Series of 2018, and the Revised Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Rules and Regulations Governing the Recruitment and Employment of Landbased Overseas Filipino Workers of 2016 all regulate direct hiring of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Steps to Hiring A Maid Directly:

Meeting the MOM’s Requirements:

As an employer, you must fulfill the standards set forth by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) before engaging a maid. According to these standards, you must:

• Not having an unfinished bankruptcy
• possess the mental capacity to understand and carry out your responsibilities as an employer.
• Possess the resources necessary to hire, support, and house the domestic helper in a suitable setting.
• A participant in the Employers’ Orientation Program (EOP)

Assuring the Maid’s Eligibility:

You need not worry about this hiring process if you hire a transfer maid or a maid who has previously worked in Singapore. Once you’ve narrowed your list of potential maids, the following step is to confirm that each domestic helper satisfies MOM’s eligibility requirements. The housekeeper you employ must:

Female at the time of application, between the ages of 23 and 50. Maids from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Thailand are among those who come from a source nation or territory that get authorized.

not connected with the employer. Employed at the place of residence listed on your NRIC at least eight years of formal education and a certificate.If this is the first time she has applied for a domestic worker job in Singapore, she must be certified with the Settling-In-Program.

Set up a meeting with the maid:

Interviewing the maids who cut your initial search will undoubtedly help you in the final decision process. Any future issues between you and the maid, such as communication problems or expectations that are out of alignment, can be flushed out during the interview. It would be preferable to have a face-to-face interview when employing a maid transfers. You may more accurately determine whether both parties are at ease with one another by meeting in person rather than communicating via a computer screen.

Additionally, an interview gives your domestic helper a firsthand impression of her future place of employment and abode. It is essential because if she is uncomfortable in her living situation, it may be difficult for her to concentrate on her work. During the interview, have the chance to freely discuss negotiating the particulars of her pay and vacation time.

The required paperwork and applications:

Create a GIRO account or general interbank recurring order. As a result, MOM may now deduct levies each month. The GIRO account must always have enough money for MOM not to revoke the maid’s permit. Regarding transfer maids:

• Choose a transfer date with the old employer.
• Find out from the present employer if the maid has had her bi-monthly medication checkup. Do check the work permit thirty days before its expiration.
• Request a new work permit right here. The work permit should renew at least 30 days beforehand.
• Log in to this page after receiving the in-principle clearance to download and print a declaration form. Obtain signatures on the document from you, the maid, and the present employer.
• Log on to this site on the scheduled transfer date to upload the declaration form. Give your maid a copy of the temporary work permit that you printed. The prior permission will automatically revoke. Please be aware that the maid cannot start working until the work visa arrives.

New housekeepers:

• Request a new work permit right here. There is a 2-year maximum validity period for each work permit. The application for a work permit has a lot of prerequisites. You may find more details here.
• You will receive an In-Principle Approval Letter if MOM approves your application. The letter will refer to the IPA’s legitimacy.
• Set up your maid’s entry into Singapore.
• Within the first three working days of her arrival, require the maid undergoes the Settling-in Programme (SIP).
• The maid must have a pre-employment medical exams within two weeks of her arrival; else, she will send home.

Filing a Security Bond and Insurance Application:

Before submitting applications for bond and insurance, you must have the In-Principle Approval letter. A $5000 security bond must place in MOM’s account. Your maid cannot assist you in paying this deposit. The deposit will be forfeited if you violate the employment policies. You will only receive your bond back if and when:

• Your housekeeper has returned to your home.
• The work permit gets revoked by you.
• Both of you complied with the rules and regulations.
• The bond may also be voidable in the following circumstances:
• You failed to pay your housekeeper’s salary on time.
• You don’t send her home even though her work visa is no longer valid.
• Your home, where your domestic worker’s place of employment is, is burglarized (in this case, you will lose half of the $5,000).
• Therefore, you should inform your maid about the prerequisites for her work authorization. It gets advised that you report any license infractions right away.