Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Looking to hire a domestic helper but unsure where to begin?
Have some doubts about the process involved with engaging a foreign domestic helper?
Here are some common questions and answers to give you a heads-up on what to expect.
Yes, we are. Our license number is 14C7037. This license is issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to operate a Maid Recruitment and Deployment business.
1) For Local employer (following details to process the maids work permit application):
Identity Card (as well as those of members of his household)
Proof of income in the form of Notice of Assessment (and that of the spouse if applicable) or his authority to the Ministry of Manpower to verify his income (and his spouse’s if applicable) with the Internal Revenue Authority;
or if he has recently returned after an extended absence, a letter by an officer of the company he is attached to showing:
i. His position in the company
ii. His monthly income
iii. The date employment commences
If Notice of Assessment is not available and the Employer has not paid income tax in the current or previous year,
1. his income tax assessment if he was working abroad AND
2. a statement from CPF showing his contribution for the last 3 months, if applicable.
2) For Expatriate employer (following details to process the maids work permit application):
Passport Copy- of self and members of the family
Employment pass and dependent pass of family members living with him/her
Firstly, the application for a maid has to be completed correctly to process the maid’s Work Permit. Following which it takes anywhere from one to six weeks for the maid to arrive and commence working. The maid arrival duration may also depend on the maid nationality.
As per MOM regulations, an employer needs to pay the maid’s levy. The maid’s levy is a monthly tax paid to the government for every foreign domestic worker employed in the Singapore. The levy is priced at SGD$300.00 per month or SGD$10 per day, payable for the work permit validity period.
For Singaporeans with young children 16years and below or elderly above 67 years of age living under the same household, the government offers a concessionary rate of SGD 60.00 per month. The levy is collected by the MOM.
You can only employ maids from MOM approved countries for Foreign Domestic Workers (FDW). These countries are: Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh. The Latest Additional Country would be Cambodia (From October 2016)
The employer is responsible for the repatriation of the maid once the usual contract of 2 years expires, unless it is renewed. He is required to post a security deposit (bond) of $5,000 for every maid with the Work Permit Department, MOM. If he fails to repatriate the maid after the cancellation of her work permit, there is a risk of losing the $5,000 security deposit.
The employer can purchase an insurance policy from various Insurance companies, which is an alternative to placing the $5000 deposit to MOM.
Employers need to purchase personal accident insurance coverage for the maid. The minimum sum insured is $60,000. You can purchase such insurance with various options with different Insuring Agencies.
All Maids are required to go for medical check up in Singapore within 14 days from her arrival date. She must get herself examined by a certified medical institution and can only be deemed fit for work if she passes her medical test. Subsequently, medical examinations are required every six months for the medical screening for VDRL, pregnancy, and HIV. It is the employer’s responsibility to bring the maid for the 6 monthly check up.
An Employer is liable to pay the full cost of the medical expenses, including hospitalisation. It is thus wiser to get insurance coverage for hospitalisation expenses for the maid.
In order for her to send money home, she can engage a remittance service with the following:
J-Dee Remittance Services
2 Beach Road
#01-4791
North Bridge Road
Singapore 190002
Tel: 6294 8720
Ameertech Remittance Services
291 Serangoon Road
#03-00 Serangoon Building
Singapore 218107
Tel: 6297 7707
ActionPlus Remittance Services
133 New Bridge Road
#03-05 Chinatown Point
Singapore 059413
Tel: 6533 3083
CYS Express Exchange Pte Ltd
3 Shenton Way
#02-05 Shenton House
Singapore 068805
Tel: 6226 2088
GPL Remittance Pte Ltd
5001 Beach Road
#01-77A Golden Mile Complex
Singapore 199588
Tel: 6291 2991
One-Stop Remittance Centre
304 Orchard Road
#03-30 Lucky Plaza
Singapore 238863
Tel: 6834 0071
Moneyhome Remittance Express
545 Orchard Road
#13-01 Far East Shopping Centre
Singapore 238882
Tel: 6732 8777
Sonali Exchange Pte Ltd
587 Bukit Timah Road
#03-26, Coronation Plaza
Singapore 269707
Tel: 6294 9862
Basic Starting Salary is SGD500.00 (Fresh) to SGD700.00.
This would be much dependent on the maids’ working experiences.
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration’s stipulates the salary of Filipino maids as between SGD600.00 (Fresh) to SGD800.00. This would be much dependent on the maids’ working experiences.
Basic Starting Salary is SGD550.00 (Fresh) to SGD750.00. This would be much dependent on the maids’ working experiences.