Let’s be honest, we all need help at some point in our lives. Be it with managing the kids, caring for our elders, or with household chores; and so hiring a maid is the one option that allows you to handle all of this with ease. Now depending on your budget, you can choose to hire a full-time maid or a part-time helper in Singapore.
As you are aware, the process of hiring a maid in Singapore can be quite tedious. After all, it is not just about finding a trusted and reliable helper. There is a lot of paperwork involved and strict legal rules that need to be followed.
If you don’t know where to start the maid hunting process, we’re here to help. We have curated a list of maid agencies in Singapore that provide this valuable service.
Part-time Helper Singapore: Check The Score
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There are multiple maid agencies operating in Singapore, which can be confusing as you try to zero down the one that is most suitable to you.
This is why, Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has listed down clear guidelines on its website that include requirements like online Employer Orientation Programme, how to cover a bond, the $300 monthly levy, among others. To help you make your decision and make the process transparent, MOM has created an extensive database.
Another advantage of going through this route is that employers can rate maid agencies in Singapore on a scale of 1 to 5, with all scores easily viewable. This exhaustive data helps you go through three important factors.
Retention Rate
This will give you an idea of the foreign domestic workers (FDWs) placed by the maid agency. Especially those who stay with the same employer for at least one year (a standard contract lasts for two years). The industry average is 47.27 percent.
Transfer Helper Rate
This is the percentage of FDWs who have transferred to three or more employers within one year. The industry average is 1.44 percent.
Placement Volume
This is the number of helper worker passes applied by the maid agency. The industry average is 64.19 percent. The high numbers indicate that the maid agency runs professionally.
Part-time Helper Singapore: How Much Money Is Involved
The next important aspect to consider is the fee that these agencies charge to both the helper and the employer. This fee can be around $1,000. Since it is a high fee, some agencies don’t charge their helpers. So you must check with the agency about this fee.
Here are some other important things to take note of, according to MOM:
- You must buy a $5,000 security bond for each helper you employ unless she is Malaysian. You cannot ask your helper to pay for the bond. A security bond is a binding pledge to pay the government if either you or your helper breaks the law or Work Permit conditions.
- Before your helper arrives in Singapore, you must buy medical insurance and personal accident insurance. You need to buy medical insurance with a coverage of at least $15,000 per year for inpatient care and day surgery during your helper’s stay in Singapore.
- You can only get her Work Permit if she passes the medical examination. Otherwise, she will have to be sent home.
At the time of contacting the maid agencies and finalising a contract with them, do check with them on additional assistance they provide. For instance, assisting you with issues like renewing contracts, helping you find a replacement or a part-time helper in Singapore.
Also, in case your helper gets into legal trouble, you can also check if your agency would help with the repatriation process.
Hiring A Maid Without An Agency: What Is The Complete Process
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If you don’t want to go through a maid agency, you can employ help directly as well. Here’s how:
1. Online search: Platforms like Searchmaid, Netmaid among others can help you hire a maid. After you share details about your requirements like age, nationality, work experience, and salary expectations, you can select one that you feel would adjust well with your family.
2. Word of mouth: Many people often rely on recommendations from friends and family and that is another reliable route. This method also helps you conduct a background check and it certainly comes with the previous employer’s review as well.
Remember, you can also do the paperwork yourself through MOM. This is no doubt be a cheaper option that going through an agency that is likely to charge you for this.
3. Transfer maid: You also have the option of hiring a transfer maid. These are helpers who may be working in Singapore and are coming to the end of their contract with one employee and may be seeking employment in another house.
4. FDW:
The foreign domestic workers or FDWs you hire should meet the following criteria:
- They should be 23 to below 50 years of age at the time of application.
- FDWs aged 50 and above can only renew their work permits till the age of 60.
- In order to work in Singapore, FDWs should be from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and/or Thailand.
Now once you have clarity on the route you wish to take– with or without agency– if you choose the former, here are places that you reach out to.
Part-time Helper Singapore: 9 Top Ranking Maid Agencies in Singapore
1.Bestmaid
Retention rate: 49.44%
Helper Transfer rate: 0%
Placement volume: 87%
You can get matched to some of the best maid agencies in Singapore through this website. They also have an FAQ page, where you can get details of their process and how they can help you at every step.
2. Contact Asia
Retention rate: 59.6%
Helper Transfer rate: 1.49%
Placement volume: 76
The maid agency claims to serve with honesty, dedication and professionalism in words, actions and deeds. With 18 years of experience, Contact Asia is known to satisfy their clients in Singapore.
Phone: (65)6466 2696
3. Prestige Management Services
Retention rate: 60.43%
Helper Transfer rate: 0%
Placement volume: 192
For the past 20 years, Prestige Management Services is one of the leading manpower agencies in Singapore providing domestic workers exclusively to the embassies and consulate within and outside Singapore.
Phone: (65) 6738 2100
4. Taj Employment Agency
Retention rate: 32.34%
Helper Transfer rate: 9.76%
Placement volume: 121
If you’re looking for Indian maids in Singapore, Taj is the place to go. Their Facebook page will give you an idea of the snippets of experiences and reviews shared by their customers.
Phone: (65) 6334 1055
5. Island Maids
Retention rate: 47.1%
Helper Transfer rate: 1.68%
Placement volume: 326
The agency sees that all the maids are personally interviewed and handpicked by their in-house recruiter. This is done through thorough checks on their background, work and education history, as well as ensuring health screenings for each individual.
Based on your requirements, the agency ensures that the selected maids go through the relevant and detailed training before joining.
Hotline: 6299 7703
6. Nation Employment
Retention rate: 45.5%
Helper Transfer rate: 1.59%
Placement volume: 76
Nation has FDWs from Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar, and India (Mizoram). Some FDWs may have prior experience in Singapore previously. Check with the consultants if you have any specific requirement.
Phone: Jurong Service Centre- (65) 6388 8888
7. Wonderful Maid Agency
Retention rate: 47.72%
Helper Transfer rate: 0%
Placement volume: 53
Expect helpful and prompt service when you engage this maid agency in Singapore. The reviews on Facebook are a testament to its popularity!
8. EK Maid Agency
Retention rate: 40.99%
Helper Transfer rate: 0%
Placement volume: 3
This agency will be able to help you if you are looking for maids from Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, and/or Myanmar. EK Maid agency screens its domestic helpers thoroughly. The team can also help with helper transfers, paperwork and all other administrative issues.
Phone: (+65) 9679 6844
9. Chandra Maid Agency
Retention rate: 31.72%
Helper Transfer rate: 6.9%
Placement volume: 72
They specialise in Sri Lankan and Indian maids in Singapore. The best part is Chandra Maid Agency offers a variety of services, including airport pick-up and repatriation, full medical check-ups, home leave levy claims and others.
Phone: 62977172
We hope the list comes in handy in your decision-making process.
Finally, its also crucial to note that hiring a maid post COVID has become more expensive. So you can expect to shell out a minimum of $24,000 over a period of two years. This includes the monthly recurring cost ($906 per month) and the one-off amount (about $2,000).
But no matter which route you choose, its important to still treat them like family. After all, they are helping you raise yours.
Source: MOM
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