4 Key Questions ... when hiring a helper for your home
#4
Affordable domestic help is a big plus of living in Singapore. While some expats find that a maid service once or twice a week is enough, others, particularly those with families, hire a full- ti me maid (“foreign domestic worker” or FDW) to help with cooking, shopping, cleaning and childcare. Most helpers in Singapore are from the Philippines, Indonesia or Myanmar; they are diligent, conscientious women who are working to support their families back home. Here are some questions to consider. #1 “How much does a helper cost?”
Part-time helpers are available for between $10 and $20 an hour, and can be hired independently or through a company. Full-time, live-in maids cost between $450 and $750 a month, depending on their experience. Employers must also pay a monthly levy (currently $265) to the Singaporean government, plus a one-time security bond of $5,000 (not paid upfront but covered under the insurance scheme). If you’re a working mother, the levy can be tax deductible. If the maid is out of the country for longer than seven days, you can apply for the levy to be waived for that period.
#2 “What are my responsibilities as an employer?”
Employers are responsible for providing accommodation, insurance, food and medical care for their maids, in addition to hiring costs, airfares for bi- annual home leave, transfer costs and an annual bonus. First-time employers must complete a compulsory Employer’s Orientation Programme that provides them with a basic understanding of their role and responsibilities. This involves attending in person ($30), or taking a three-hour online course ($40). Visit mom.gov.sg for more details.
#3 “How many days off should I give my helper?”
Most expats give their helper every Sunday and public holidays off, plus a twoweek holiday every two years to their home country. To counter the instance of maids working without rest, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) mandated that, from 1 January 2013, all employers must give helpers one day off per week (or fairly compensate them, should they be required to work).
“What’s the easiest way to hire a helper?”
Fees vary, but for around $400 a maid agency will find you a maid, and will usually give you the chance to interview several. Alternatively, you can source a maid yourself and complete the paperwork on the MOM website. Some expats who are leaving Singapore help their maid to find work by advertising on noticeboards, Facebook forums or by word of mouth. Note: be wary of taking the word of an ex-employer if they are transferring a helper and changing to a new one; they can sometimes be generous with the truth in order to “move them on”.