Anyone who is a Singapore citizen, Permanent Resident, or an expatriate with a valid work pass can apply to hire a Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW), contingent on approval from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for the stated reason of employment. Expatriate employers must provide evidence of family members residing with them at the time of application. To be eligible to hire a helper, the following conditions must be met: You must be at least 21 years of age. You should not be in the status of an undischarged bankrupt. You must possess the mental capacity to comprehend and fulfill your obligations as an employer. MOM will also assess your financial ability to hire, sustain, and provide suitable accommodation for the helper.

Once you select a helper, we will begin processing her documents. If they are ready (e.g., passport), her work permit should be approved within a week. If no additional processing is needed, she will arrive in about a month, depending on MOM’s Entry Approval availability. If further processing is required (based on her country’s regulations), her arrival may take up to two months. For first-time migrant domestic workers (MDWs), the Settling-in Programme (SIP) must be completed within 7 days of arrival (excluding Sundays and public holidays). Also, a medical examination by a Singapore-registered doctor must be done within 2 weeks.

According to the Ministry of Manpower’s regulations, employers are required to remunerate their helper punctually, cover all her living expenses, and ensure her wellbeing throughout her stay in Singapore.

Your Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) is entitled to one rest day per week. Both you and your helper should decide together on which day she will rest. However, with a mutual written agreement, the maid may work on her rest day in exchange for compensation. Starting from 1 January 2023, it is mandatory for all employers to grant their MDWs at least one rest day each month that cannot be compensated away. If your maid consents to work on the other rest days within the month, compensation must be given in one of the following forms: Payment equivalent to at least one day’s wages. Please note, this is an extra payment and does not contribute to the maid’s basic salary. A replacement rest day within the same month.

No, the employer cannot safekeep their helper’s passport, handphone, Work Permit, or salary. Passport & Work Permit: These are personal documents that belong to the helper, and employers are not allowed to withhold them. Handphone: The helper has the right to keep and use their phone during non-working hours. Employers should not confiscate or restrict access. Salary: Employers must pay the helper’s salary on time and in full. They cannot withhold or safekeep any portion of it. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in penalties from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

Employers are required to pay a monthly levy to the government for each FDW employed. The standard levy rates are: First FDW: S$300 per month Second FDW: S$450 per month

As an MDW employer, you can get a concessionary rate if you live with any eligible person who is a Singapore citizen and is a young child below 16 years old, elderly person who is at least 67 years old, or person with disabilities (PWD). The levy concession for 1 MDW is granted based on 1 eligible person in the household. It is capped at 2 MDWs per household. When you are no longer eligible for levy concession or your number of helpers changes, the levy rate may be adjusted. The new rate takes effect immediately.

The Foreign Domestic Worker Levy (FDWL) Relief has ceased with effect from the Year of Assessment (YA) 2025. The last YA in which the FDWL Relief can be claimed is YA 2024. In Singapore, the Foreign Domestic Worker Levy (FDWL) Relief was a tax relief designed to encourage married women to remain in the workforce by allowing them to claim twice the amount of levy paid on one foreign domestic worker (FDW) in the preceding year. This relief was available to married women, as well as divorced or widowed women with dependent children living with them.

The employer must pay the levy via General Interbank Recurring Order (GIRO). The levy for each month will be deducted from the employer’s bank account on the 17th of the following month (or the next working day if it falls on a weekend or public holiday). If the full levy is not paid on time, the helper’s Work Permit will be revoked. For payments using other methods, the employer must pay the levy for each month by the 14th of the following month.

A security bond is a legally binding agreement between an employer and the Singapore government, requiring the employer to pay a $5,000 bond for each foreign domestic worker (FDW) hired. This bond ensures that the employer complies with all MOM regulations, including fair treatment, timely salary payments, and repatriation when the employment ends. The bond will be forfeited if the employer violates the conditions, but it will be discharged if all obligations are met.

No, the employer does not need to pay $5,000 upfront to MOM. Instead, the employer must purchase a security bond of $5,000 from an insurance company before the helper arrives in Singapore. The bond acts as a financial guarantee to ensure the employer follows MOM’s regulations. The employer will only have to pay the amount if the bond is forfeited due to non-compliance with the rules.

Employers are required to buy medical insurance for their foreign domestic workers (FDWs) with a minimum coverage of $60,000 per year, effective 1 July 2023. This insurance must cover inpatient care and day surgery. The new policy includes a co-payment system, where insurers cover 75% of claims above $15,000, and employers cover the remaining 25%, up to the $60,000 limit. Additional changes, including standardized exclusion clauses and direct hospital reimbursements, will take effect from 1 July 2025.

Yes, the MDW is required to undergo a pre-employment medical examination before deployment. She must pass this medical examination within two weeks of arrival in Singapore to be issued a Work Permit. The check-up includes tests for tuberculosis, HIV, syphilis and malaria. Employers must ensure their MDW completes this requirement at a Singapore-registered clinic.

Yes, first-time MDWs are required to attend the Settling-In Programme (SIP) before deployment. This one-day program, conducted in Singapore, educates them on safety, employment rights, and responsibilities. The employer must ensure their MDW completes the SIP within three days of arrival (excluding Sundays and public holidays) before starting work.

In Singapore, it is mandatory for employers to ensure that their Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs) undergo regular medical examinations to confirm their health and fitness for work. Frequency of Medical Check-ups: Pre-Employment Medical Examination: Within two weeks of your MDW's arrival in Singapore, you must send her for a medical examination by a Singapore-registered doctor. This examination screens for infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV, syphilis, and malaria, and assesses her overall fitness for work. The Work Permit can only be issued if she passes this examination. Six-Monthly Medical Examination (6ME): After the initial examination, your MDW is required to undergo medical screenings every six months. These screenings test for pregnancy and infectious diseases like syphilis, HIV (every two years), and tuberculosis (once, upon two years of stay in Singapore). Additionally, checks on Body Mass Index (BMI) and visible signs of abuse are conducted. Exceptions: MDWs Aged 50 and Above: Helpers aged 50 years or above are exempted from the six-monthly medical examinations. They are only required to undergo a medical examination upon the renewal of their Work Permit. Responsibility for Medical Examination Costs: As the employer, you are responsible for all costs associated with these medical examinations, including any medical expenses that arise from them. Procedure and Compliance: You will receive a notification letter and 6ME form by post when your MDW's 6ME is due. She must complete her 6ME by the due date specified in the letter. All 6MEs must be conducted in clinics by Singapore-registered doctors. Employers or their representatives should not be present during the examination. The clinic will submit the 6ME results to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). You can check if the results have been submitted and view them through MOM's FDW eService. Ensuring that your MDW undergoes these regular medical examinations is crucial for her well-being and is a legal requirement in Singapore.

In Singapore, employers are legally responsible for the cost of repatriating their Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) to her home country upon termination or completion of employment. This obligation is a condition of the Work Permit to ensure that MDWs are not left stranded without means to return home. Key Responsibilities: - Purchase of Air Ticket: The employer must provide a direct air ticket to the international airport nearest to the MDW's hometown in her home country. This ticket should include check-in luggage allowance. - Timing of Repatriation: The departure date should be within two weeks of the cancellation of the MDW's Work Permit. Exceptions: - Overseas Leave: If the MDW is taking overseas leave during her employment, the responsibility for travel expenses should be mutually agreed upon between the employer and the MDW, preferably documented in the employment contract. If not specified, both parties should discuss and reach a written agreement to prevent disputes. By adhering to these guidelines, employers ensure compliance with Singapore's regulations and uphold their responsibilities toward their MDWs. Sources

In Singapore, if your foreign domestic worker (FDW) becomes pregnant, it's essential to understand and fulfill your responsibilities as an employer to comply with legal requirements and ensure the well-being of all parties involved. Here's what you need to do: 1. Confirm the Pregnancy: - Open Communication: Discuss your concerns with your FDW in a respectful and private setting to confirm her pregnancy status. - Medical Verification: If necessary, arrange for a medical examination to verify the pregnancy. 2. Notify the Ministry of Manpower (MOM): - Mandatory Reporting: As an employer, you are required to inform MOM upon confirmation of your FDW's pregnancy. This can be done through the official online form provided by MOM. 3. Understand Employment Implications: - Work Permit Conditions: FDWs are generally not permitted to become pregnant or deliver a child in Singapore unless married to a Singapore citizen or permanent resident with prior approval from MOM. If your FDW is not married to a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, her Work Permit will be subject to cancellation. 4. Arrange for Repatriation: - Timely Repatriation: Following Work Permit cancellation, you are responsible for arranging and bearing the cost of your FDW's repatriation to her home country. Ensure that all outstanding salaries or monies due are paid before her departure. ASEAN 5. Maintain Upkeep and Maintenance Until Departure: - Employer Obligations: Until your FDW's repatriation, you must continue to provide acceptable accommodation, adequate food, and medical treatment as required. 6. Handle the Situation with Compassion: - Empathetic Approach: Pregnancy is a deeply personal matter. Approach the situation with understanding and care to reduce emotional strain for both you and your FDW. By following these steps, you ensure compliance with Singapore's regulations and fulfill your responsibilities as an employer in a respectful and lawful manner.

If your foreign domestic worker (FDW) has gone missing in Singapore, it's crucial to act promptly to comply with legal requirements and protect your interests. Here's what you should do: 1. Attempt to Locate Your FDW: - Contact the Employment Agency: Reach out to the agency that facilitated your FDW's employment. They might have insights or be able to assist in locating her. - Communicate with Her Friends or Community: If you are aware of any friends or community members she associates with, consider contacting them to gather information. 2. File a Police Report: - Report the Disappearance: If your FDW remains uncontactable after initial efforts, file a missing person report with the Singapore Police Force. This is a mandatory step. - How to Report: For missing persons, it's advisable to call "999" or visit the nearest Neighborhood Police Centre to make the report. 3.Cancel the Work Permit: - Timely Cancellation: Within one week of discovering your FDW is missing, you must cancel her Work Permit. This action stops your levy obligations and notifies the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) of her status. - Procedure: Use the MOM's online services to process the cancellation. 4. Understand Security Bond Implications: - Security Bond Forfeiture: If your FDW isn't found within one month after the Work Permit cancellation, $2,500 (half of the $5,000 security bond) will be forfeited to cover repatriation and related costs. 5. Notify the Relevant Embassy: - Inform Her Embassy: Contact your FDW's home country embassy or consulate in Singapore. They can provide assistance and might have additional information. 6. Monitor for Updates: - Stay Informed: Keep in touch with the police and MOM for any developments regarding your FDW's whereabouts. 7. Consult Your Employment Agency: - Seek Guidance: Your agency can offer advice on managing the situation and assist with necessary procedures. 8. Document All Actions: - Maintain Records: Keep detailed records of all steps taken, including dates, times, and communications. This documentation is essential for any future references or disputes. By following these steps promptly, you ensure compliance with Singapore's regulations and protect your responsibilities as an employer.

In Singapore, employers are required to cancel their Migrant Domestic Worker's (MDW) Work Permit under the following circumstances: 1. Termination or Completion of Employment: - Within One Week: The employer must cancel the Work Permit within one week after the MDW's last day of work. 2. MDW's Departure from Singapore: - Within One Week of Departure: If the MDW leaves Singapore and will not return to work, the employer must cancel the Work Permit within one week from the departure date. 3. Before Work Permit Expiry: - At Least One Day Prior: The Work Permit must be canceled at least one day before its expiry if the MDW's employment is ending. income.com.sg Additional Considerations: Repatriation Arrangements: Upon cancellation, the employer is responsible for arranging and bearing the cost of the MDW's repatriation to her home country. This includes providing an air ticket with check-in luggage and covering all connecting transport costs to the international port of entry nearest to her hometown. The departure date should be within two weeks from the Work Permit cancellation. Special Pass Issuance: After canceling the Work Permit, the employer must print a Special Pass for the MDW, allowing her to stay in Singapore legally for up to two weeks before departure. This pass must be presented to immigration authorities upon exit. Adhering to these guidelines ensures compliance with Singapore's Ministry of Manpower regulations regarding the employment and repatriation of MDWs.