Hiring a maid is a time-saving alternative if you’re finding it difficult to balance a job, domestic duties, and caring for young children.
The benefit of having freedom while creating your daily schedule is hiring a live-in maid. Additionally, you won’t ever have to scurry to locate a babysitter when unexpected plans arise! Additionally, you’ll be able to create timetables for grocery shopping and cleaning that are perfect for your circumstances.
Hiring a Maid in Singapore
To maintain a good working connection with your new helper, there are a few crucial things to consider before looking for a maid to hire. Additionally, you should spend some time learning about the FDW (Foreign Domestic Worker) rights outlined by the Ministry of Manpower.
From interviews to health issues, the following six practical pieces of advice for hiring a maid in Singapore is provided by Favent Employment Services, a reputable maid service.
Things to Consider in Hiring a Live-In Maid
1. Employ a maid with the appropriate training and experience
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It’s always a good idea to pick a maid who has the appropriate experience for your scenario in addition to general experience. If you have kids, especially little ones, you should look for a maid with childcare experience.
Ensure your assistant is comfortable with cats and dogs if part of their duties entails caring for animals. When searching to hire a maid, elderly family members who want additional assistance may also be a crucial factor.
2. Learn how your maid resolves conflicts
Unlike most jobs, your assistant is a resident of your house. Because of this, it’s much more crucial to comprehend their approach to handling conflicts.
Ask challenging questions during the interview, such as how the candidate would respond if they disapproved of something you did. To guarantee a positive working environment, communication must be healthy and transparent.
3. Check to see if they speak your language.
Communication is crucial, as the preceding point demonstrated. Because of this, it’s crucial to confirm that your assistant can communicate clearly in your language. Even though Singapore requires maids to pass an English proficiency test, it’s still crucial to make sure you can speak well enough for your needs.
4. Talk about their priorities
The priorities of your assistant should also be taken into account. Domestic workers in Singapore typically have responsibilities and family commitments back home.
Consider their future ambitions as well because they will have an impact on whether they are available for long-term employment. You can learn more about their objectives by inquiring as to why they require the position.
5. Select a health insurance plan.
It’s conceivable that one or more of your maids will become ill while working for you. Of course, there’s always a danger that more severe, unforeseen health problems will develop.
To be able to support your employee when she becomes ill, it is imperative that you, as the employer, purchase health insurance. Your maid’s insurance will help you avoid paying any supplemental medical expenses. The majority of maid agencies in Singapore will also be ready to assist in locating an appropriate insurance scenario.
6. Plan a budget in advance before employing a maid.
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Your budget plays an important role in the process of hiring a maid. You should have a defined budget that is stated explicitly to the maid agency in order to achieve a smooth, hassle-free operation. By doing this, you can avoid wasting your time on the wrong candidates. Don’t forget to include in the maid agency fees as well.
Procedure for Hiring a Maid in Singapore
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In Singapore, finding a maid might be challenging. You’ll save time and effort by working with a qualified, professional agency and benefit from a much smoother process.
Maid Agency in Singapore
There is no denying that reputable companies can improve the process of hiring helpers, but there is no assurance that they would provide “ideal maids.” We can only search for the “best match” when foreign domestic helpers come from diverse countries and origins and are people with unique personalities and worldviews.
We are also aware of how crucial it is for busy folks to hire help. To assist you to save time while “doing homework,” we have collected a list of reputable housekeeping services.
With many years of industry experience, they are all MOM-licensed agencies. According to MOM’s website in June 2022, their volume of placements, transfer rate, and retention rate are all higher than the industry standard.
Singapore’s Top 7 Reputable Housekeeping Services
Inter Great
JForce Employment Service
- Best for maids for infants, bedridden individuals, and immobile elderly
- Website: www.jforce.com.sg/
1 Assist Agency
- Best for elderly care services
- Address: 170 Upper Bukit Timah Road #03-31/48 Bukit Timah Shopping Centre Singapore 588179
- Contact number: +65 6463 0419
- Website: 1assist.com.sg/
Ministry of Helpers
- Best for hassle-free employer and helper matching
- Address: 195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace, #02-16, Singapore 168976
- Contact number: +65 8010 1532
- Website: ministryofhelpers.com/
- Email: [email protected]
Universal Employment Agency Pte Ltd
- Best for: Transfer maids with experience in care for infant, child care and elderly care
- Address: 304 Orchard Road#03-52 Lucky Plaza Singapore 238863
- Contact number: +65 6735 3456
- Website: www.universal.sg/
- Email: [email protected]
Green Employment
- Best for transfer maids with experience in care for infant, child care and elderly care
- Address: Blk 116 Lorong 2 Toa Payoh, #01-152, Singapore 310116
- Contact number: +65 8909 2845 | +65 8126 9366 | +65 9649 6169
- Website: www.greenemployment.sg/
First Maid
- Best for comprehensive maid employment processing
- Address: 170 Upper Bukit Timah Road, B1-21 Bukit Timah Shopping Centre S588179
- Contact number: +65 8488 7603
- Website: https://firstmaid.sg/
- Email: [email protected]
Transfer Maid Singapore
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The lengthy application process means that when you decide to hire new workers, you must wait at least 10 weeks before they can begin working for your family. Additionally, you must pay a larger agent fee.
The assistant is already in Singapore and has been given permission to hunt for new employers, so there is less waiting period and less money involved when hiring a transfer maid. More and more houses in Singapore are choosing transfer maids because of their instant availability and lower recruiting prices.
A transfer maid might be hired directly or through a staffing company. To hire someone from a different employer, you must adhere to these procedures.
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Ensure the maid’s bimonthly physical is up-to-date. Confirm this with her current employer 30 days before her work permit expires.
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Use MOM’s FDW e-service to submit a transfer request to the current employer. Do this 30 days before the work permit expires. After approval, apply for the maid’s new work permit.
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After obtaining in-principle permission and consent, get a copy of the Declaration form from MOM e-service. Both you and the maid need to sign this.
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Coordinate a transfer date with the current employer. On this date, approve the new work permit, upload the signed Declaration form, and print the temporary work permit using MOM e-service. This allows the maid to start working for you.
The details above should have helped you gain a clearer picture of what to anticipate if you decide to hire a transfer maid.
Basically, if you need a domestic assistant who can start working right away and doesn’t require continual monitoring, a transfer maid is your best option. Just be sure to go through the proper screening to select a trustworthy and dependable assistant for your home.
A Quick Guide to the Maid Levy in Singapore
The maid levy is a mandatory cost for anyone employing a foreign domestic worker (FDW) in Singapore. This fee helps balance some of the costs associated with training and supporting these workers.
Standard Maid Levy
|
|---|
| Number of FDWs |
Monthly Levy |
| First FDW |
S$300 |
| Subsequent FDWs |
S$450 |
Note: The levy increases to S$450 for each additional FDW hired.
Concessionary Levy
For those who struggle to afford the standard maid levy, there’s an option to apply for a concessionary levy. This is a reduced fee, granted under certain conditions.
To apply, you’ll need to provide:
-
Proof of inability to pay the full monthly levy
-
Bank account details
-
Proof of personal income
Who Qualifies for Concessionary Levy?
|
|---|
| Eligibility Criteria |
Concessionary Levy |
| Families with children under 16 or disabled members requiring personal care |
S$60 |
| Families with a member who needs help with at least one daily activity |
S$60 |
| Families with an elderly member who is at least 67 years old |
S$60 |
Who Doesn’t Qualify for Concessionary Levy?
|
|---|
| Non-Eligibility Criteria |
| Families with no dependents under 16 living in the same residence |
| Non-citizens whose work permits have been revoked |
| People needing care are not Singapore citizens |
| The person needing care no longer lives with you |
Remember, the maid levy is a critical part of the process when hiring a foreign domestic worker in Singapore. Ensure you’re aware of your responsibilities and the potential costs involved.
Cost of Hiring a Maid in Singapore
The employment agency for domestic helpers must receive the following payments in full.
|
|---|
|
Type of fees
|
New maid
|
Transfer maid
|
|
Maid agency fees
|
Between $1,000 to $3,000
|
Between $1,000 to $3,000
|
|
Settling in (for first-time helpers)
|
$75
|
N.A.
|
|
Work permit application
|
$35
|
$35
|
|
Work permit issuance
|
$35
|
$35
|
|
Foreign Domestic Worker Levy
|
$300 (or $60 with concessions)
|
$300 (or $60 with concessions)
|
|
Security deposit required by MOM
|
$5,000
|
$5,000
|
|
Maid insurance (Minimum medical coverage of $15,000 and personal accident coverage of $60,000)
|
$316.87 (FWD)
|
$316.87 (FWD)
|
|
Covid-19- related expenses
|
Antigen Rapid Test (ART) at the checkpoint: $67
Serology and PCR tests: $175
14-day SHN at a dedicated facility: $1,000 – $1,500
PCR test on day 14 of SHN: $125
|
N.A.
|
|
Total
|
Between $7,889 and $10,629
|
Between $6,447 and $8,687
|
Therefore, depending on the maid agency, whether you are eligible for the levy concessions, and whether your helper is relocating to Singapore for the first time or not, the total price you could expect to pay upfront would range from $1,447 to $5,629 (excluding security deposit).
The majority of agencies will also charge you an upfront placement fee. Depending on where your assistant is from, this sum may change.
For instance, starting last year, a new rule by the Indonesian government requiring employers to pay the cost of the FDW placement charge has resulted in an additional expense of up to $3,000. The good news is that this one-time payment for covering costs like travel, lodging, and medical exams will be subtracted from your helper’s salary.
Average salary of a domestic helper
When establishing pay, there are numerous determining elements. The primary determining variables are experience and relevant training. The nationality of a domestic assistant, though, could also be important. The minimum wage for all domestic helpers in Indonesia is $550.
The Philippine government is attempting to limit the flow of domestic servants into Singapore at the same time. Expect the salaries to rise in line with the decreased supply.
Based on the domestic helper’s nationality, you should pay them at least this amount.
|
|---|
|
Country of Origin
|
Minimum Salary
|
|
Indonesia
|
$550
|
|
Philippines
|
$570
|
|
Myanmar
|
$450
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
$497
|
It goes without saying that the real pay may vary depending on the helper’s expertise, the anticipated workload, and other variables. Expect to pay more for an experienced domestic assistant.
The average pay for a domestic helper in Singapore is close to $600, according to HelperChoice, a website where you can hire maids.
Other miscellaneous costs
In addition to the domestic helper’s salary and tax, you are responsible for paying for her food, lodging, medical care, travel (including a return flight), and any unexpected costs, such as hospitalisation costs, should they arise.
This is why investing in maid insurance is not something you should skimp on.
Transfer Maid Salary Singapore
Expect to spend 20% to 30% extra for Transfer Maids during the Covid-19 outbreak when they are in short supply.
The 2020 Salary Guide below was compiled in March 2020 using 5,000 maid biodata from a random sample. The standard monthly wage for a maid in Singapore ranges from S$438 to S$709. The compensation may vary depending on a number of things.
Singapore FDW / Foreign Maid Salary Guide 2020
|
|---|
|
Country
|
Minimum Wage set by Embassy
|
New Maid Average Salary
|
Ex Singapore Average Salary
|
Transfer Maid Average Salary
|
|
Philippines
|
S$570
|
S$592
|
S$638
|
S$709
|
|
Indonesia
|
S$550
|
S$558
|
S$621
|
S$626
|
|
Sri Lanka
|
S$497
|
S$513
|
S$586
|
S$645
|
|
Myanmar
|
S$450
|
S$464
|
S$560
|
S$565
|
|
India / Mizoram
|
None
|
S$438
|
S$475
|
S$532
|
Other Things to Know Aside from Maid Salary in Singapore
Working and Rest Days
- Maids in Singapore are entitled to one day off per week or eight consecutive days off every two months.
- They must receive a minimum of 12 hours of rest each day, including seven hours of uninterrupted nighttime sleep.
- Employers cannot require maids to work on their day off, and if they do, they must pay additional compensation, costing around S$46 for two extra days.
- Overtime work should be compensated with reasonable rest hours before the maid can return home or engage in other activities.
- The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is implementing a monthly mandatory rest day for MDWs in 2022.
Living Expenses
- Calculating living expenses includes food, accommodation, and miscellaneous costs.
- The average food cost for a domestic helper is about S$200 per month, but it can vary based on dietary preferences and family spending habits.
- Eating out and vacations with the maid can increase costs.
One-Off Costs
- Hiring a maid comes with one-time costs like insurance, airfare, medical examination, employment agency fees, and application costs.
- Maid agencies charge non-refundable fees of S$1,000 to S$3,000, which may include the first month’s payment for the maid.
- Hiring a maid transfer can save money compared to hiring a new arrival from another country.
Maid Placement Fee/Loan
- Agencies often require an upfront placement fee, equivalent to one month’s salary for the maid.
- This fee covers administrative costs, training, and medical check-ups.
- The fee is repaid through deductions from the maid’s salary.
Household helpers can be a huge assistance, but they also come with more responsibility. Find out the cost of hiring a maid in Singapore to see if you’re prepared for this additional financial commitment.
Image Source: iStock
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