Abbreviation

MOM – Ministry of Manpower – Singapore Government Body that manages all employment matters
WP – Work Permit
EA – Employment Agency
MDW – Migrant Domestic Worker – Maids
6ME – 6 Monthly Medical Examinations
AEAS – Association of Employment Agency
EOP – Employer’s Orientation Programme

Index

1. What are the Requirements on Engaging a Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW)?

Foreign Domestic Worker – Employer’s Orientation Programme (FDW-EOP)

All first-time employers are required to attend a compulsory course conducted by the Singapore Polytechnic. Employers can either attend the on-site workshop or register for the online e-learning at http://cec.sp.edu.sg/webapps/login/. As of 21 st May 2007 applicants that enrolled for the e-learning will be required to access the course online using Singpass (Singpass is a common password to transact with different government online services in Singapore. Employers can register or obtain more information at http://www.ecitizen.gov.sg/singpass/index.htm)

Personal Accident Insurance

Employers are required to purchased a personal accident insurance for the Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) with a minimum sum assured of S$10,000. This is included in our Service Fees.

Conditions of Work Permit (WP)

Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) are not governed by Employer Act. It is not practical to regulate specific aspect of domestic work such as off days, hours of work as habits of households varies. However it is mandatory that Employer follow the guidelines on the Conditions of WP. http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/etc/medialib/mom_library/work_pass/files.Par.8149.File.dat/WPSPassConditions.pdf . AEAS and Casetrust recognise the need of an employment contract. Thus a Standard Employment contract was established based on the guidelines on the conditions of Work Permit. All accredited EA uses the Standard Employment Contract and Standard Service Agreement.

• Standard Employment Contract (Click)
• Standard Service Agreement (Click)

2. Can I be exempted from Employer’s Orientation Programme (FDW-EOP)?

Employer can only be exempted from EOP if they satisfied the below scenarios:-

3. What is Security Bond (SB)? Do I have to make payment for the Security Bond (SB)?

Security Bond

Employers will be bound to the Government of the Republic of Singapore in the sum of (SGD$5,000) to be paid to the Government per FDW. The Security deposit is for 2 years and can be in the form of cash or insurance/banker’s guarantee. Our Service Fee includes arranging a Letter of Guarantee to the Government. However Employer must always abide by Singapore’s Immigration Act laid out on the Security Bond Form, failure to do so will result in the Security Bond be paid in full to the Government.

Employers can always safeguard themselves by purchasing an optional Waiver or Reimbursement of Indemnity for an additional SGD$80. If there is a breach on the conditions of Work Permit, the Employer will only need to fork out a sum of S$250.00 and the Insurer Company will cover the balance of S$4,750 to the Government.

4. What is the FDW levy?

FDW Levy

FDW levy is a sum of money paid monthly to the Government through General Interbank Recurring Order (GIRO) deduction.

*Hyperlink Services provides a One-stop hassle-free recruitment. Besides the EOP all other mandatory administrative are covered in our service fees.

5. How much is the FDW levy?

The FDW levy Rate is as follows:-

6. How many levy concession can I apply if I have more than one FDW?

Employers can apply for levy concession for up to 2 FDWs if they satisfy the conditions

7. How do I qualify for low levy concession?

Below are the conditions for Employers to qualify for levy concession

• the employer/spouse has a child who is a Singapore Citizen below 12 years old, and is living with him/her; or
• the employer/spouse has a grandchild who is a Singapore Citizen below 12 years old, and is living with him/her; or
• the employer or co-residing spouse is a Singapore Citizen who is aged 65 years old and above; or
• the employer/spouse is a Singapore Citizen and the other party is a Singapore Permanent Resident aged 65 years old or above, and both are living together at the same registered address as in NRIC; or
• the employer/spouse has a parent, parent-in-law, grandparent or grandparent-in-law who is a Singapore Citizen aged 65 years old or above, and is living with him/her at the same registered address as in NRIC; or 
• the employer is a Singapore Citizen and has a parent, parent-in-law, grandparent or grandparent-in-law who is a Singapore Permanent Resident aged 65 years old or above, and is living with him/her at the same registered address as in NRIC; or
• the employer/spouse with disability or who have family members with disability and require a full-time caregiver's assistance in Activities of Daily Living.

For first-time FDWs, levy will commerce on the fourth day of the FDW’s arrival (excluding the day of arrival).

Levy payment will be deducted on the 17 th of the following month. If 17 th is a non-working day, the deduction will be made on the next working day. Employer must ensure that levy deduction be made. Late payment or failure to comply will result in one or more of the following measures taken against you.

• A late payment penalty will be charged.
• Existing Work Permits will be cancelled.
• Employer will not be allowed to apply for new Work Permits or renew their existing workers' Work Permits.
• Legal proceedings will be taken to recover the unpaid levy liability.
• If you, your Partners or Directors are Sole Proprietors, Partners or Directors of other Companies, these companies will not be allowed to apply for Work Permits.

8. What medical checks are necessary for my FDW? Am I responsible for my FDW medical expenses?

All first-time FDW are subjected to Full Medical Check Up within 14 days of arrival in Singapore. You can check out this Form to see what are the required tests (attach medical form) Our Service fee includes Full Medical Check Up for first-time FDW, however all other additional checks are not included.

FDW is required to go for a 6-Monthly Medical Examination (6ME) to screen for infectious diseases such as HIV or TB and pregnancies. 6ME will be posted to employers 1 month before the due date. 6ME can be conducted at any neighbourhood general practitioners. We can also arrange door step pick up medical services for your FDW. It is mandatory that Employer bear the medical expenses for 6ME.

9. Why 6ME is required?

The 6ME helps ensure that FDWs do not carry infectious diseases such as HIV or TB, which might harm them or the people they come into contact with. This is especially important as FDWs work in a residential environment and may have contact with children.

A pregnancy test is also required to screen against FDWs who might give birth in Singapore, as this would contravene the Work Permit regulations. 

10. What happen if my FDW is due for 6ME and is away on home leave?

Employer should inform the MOM about the FDW's date of return to Singapore; and request a later date for the 6ME.

You can either email: mom_wpd@mom.gov.sg
Or fax: (65) 6538 7275

Or mail: The Controller of Work Passes, Domestic Permit Section
Work Pass Division, Ministry of Manpower
18 Havelock Road, Singapore 059764

11. I have to send my FDW for 6ME if I intend to cancel her WP?

Waiver of medical examination due to repatriation

Employer can request to waive the 6ME if you intend to cancel your FDW's Work Permit (WP) within a month.

To request for a waiver, you should submit a letter via:

Email: mom_wpd@mom.gov.sg
Fax: (65) 6538 7275

12. How do I report a case of death of my FDW to the Ministry?

Case of FDW death

Employer must notify the Ministry of Manpower within 12 hours of his/her knowledge of the death of the FDW.

Call the local Toll-free numder: 1800 339 5505, or
Send an email: mom_fmmd@mom.gov.sg

Please provide the following information :-

(a)  Name of FDW and Work Permit Number
(b)  Cause of death such as Accident (non-traffic) - Fall or Non- fall Suicide - Fall or non-fall
      Illness/ medical, others - traffic accident, murder, drowning, etc
(c)  Employer's name and hand phone number
(d)  Date, time and place of death

13. What are the things that I need to look out for before engaging the service of a Employment Agency (EA)?

14. Why the need for Employment Agency (EA) to be accredited?

Licensed Employment Agency

Always engage the service of a government licensed Employment Agency. We are one of the MOM approved employment agency. A list of employment agencies licenced by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) can be obtained at Employment Agency Directory 

It is illegal to operate an employment agency without a valid licence. Repeat offenders can be fined up to S$10,000 and/or imprisonment up to 6 months.

Accrediated Employment Agency

MOM recognises accreditation schemes by CaseTrust and the AEAs. In fact it is essential for annual license renewal. Accrediated EA provide better service standards, transparency in transaction and provides mediation if dispute arises between Employer and their EA. We are accrediated with AEAs, check out http://www.aeas.org.sg/accredited.html

15. Why is it that when I apply or renew the WP, the WP is not valid for 2 years?

The WP is always tie to the FDW’s passport and Security Bond expiry
The WP expires 1 month before the Passport or Security Bond expires.