Upwill
Manpower Placement Agency

Maid Complaints and Rights in Singapore: Reporting, Blacklisting, and What MOM Can Do (2026)

TL;DR: Every employer must give a helper her weekly rest day, salary on time, medical care, safe accommodation, and her own passport, and must never abuse or unlawfully confine her. You cannot officially "blacklist" a helper, but you can report genuine misconduct to MOM, leave a factual reference, and decline a transfer. If a helper goes missing, report it to MOM and the police promptly, because your S$5,000 security bond is at risk. Helpers who need help can call the MOM Foreign Domestic Worker helpline on 1800 339 5505 or the Centre for Domestic Employees.

Most employer and helper relationships never need a formal complaint. But it helps to know, on both sides, exactly what the rights are, what MOM can and cannot do, and how the real reporting channels work, so a difficult situation is handled correctly rather than made worse. This guide covers the helper's rights, the employer's rights, how to report a genuine problem, what to do if a helper absconds, and the truth about "blacklisting."

Reviewed by Yvonne, Placement Consultant at Upwill Employment Services (MOM EA Licence 24C2628).

Your helper's rights: what every employer must provide

These are not optional. They are Work Permit conditions, and breaching them can cost your security bond and your ability to hire a helper.

  • A weekly rest day. Mandatory since 2013. If a rest day is worked by mutual agreement, it must be compensated. See rest day rules.
  • Salary paid in full and on time every month, with no unlawful deductions. See salary deductions.
  • Her own passport and Work Permit. You may not hold them. See passport rules.
  • Proper medical care and insurance, including her six-monthly medical examination.
  • Safe, private accommodation with adequate food and rest.
  • Freedom from any physical or verbal abuse, confinement, or having her phone or food withheld. These are criminal offences.

The employer's side: your rights and protections

Rights run both ways. As an employer you are entitled to:

  • Set reasonable house rules and expect honest, safe work.
  • Expect the helper to follow lawful instructions and safety rules.
  • Decline to consent to a transfer if you have genuine grounds.
  • Report misconduct such as theft or dishonesty to MOM, and to the police where a crime is involved.
  • Leave a factual reference about an ex-helper's conduct with MOM, which future employers can request.

If the problem is really about performance rather than misconduct, start with our guide on handling a difficult helper before you escalate.

How to report a problem to MOM

For a genuine dispute or misconduct, MOM is the regulator (foreign domestic workers are not covered by the Employment Act or the general TADM route). The channels are:

  • MOM Foreign Domestic Worker helpline: 1800 339 5505 (weekdays).
  • MOM's online feedback and dispute forms, described on its resolving disputes page.
  • The police (999) for any suspected crime such as theft.

If your helper goes missing (absconding)

This is time-sensitive. If your helper leaves and you cannot locate her:

  1. Try her known contacts and her agency first.
  2. Make a police report.
  3. Report the missing helper to MOM promptly.
  4. Keep evidence that you reported, because your S$5,000 security bond can be forfeited if the helper cannot be located and you did not report in time.

Acting quickly is what protects your bond. Do not wait to see if she comes back.

Can you "blacklist" a helper?

Not in the way people imagine. There is no public button that bans a helper on an employer's say-so. What actually exists:

  • You can leave a factual reference about her conduct and performance with MOM, which prospective employers can request.
  • You can decline to give transfer consent, which means she cannot transfer to a new employer without first returning home. Use this fairly, not as revenge.
  • You can report genuine misconduct, which MOM records.

What you cannot do is punish her by withholding pay, her passport, or her rest day. That harms you, not her.

Where a helper can get help

A responsible employer knows these exist. If your helper is in genuine distress, or you want a neutral party involved:

  • MOM Foreign Domestic Worker helpline: 1800 339 5505.
  • Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE), which offers support and shelter.
  • Her embassy (Philippine, Indonesian, or Myanmar).
  • NGOs such as HOME and FAST.

How to report a problem with your helper to MOM, step by step

  1. Decide whether the issue is performance (resolve it directly) or genuine misconduct or a rights breach (report it).
  2. Gather the facts: dates, what happened, and any evidence.
  3. For a crime such as theft, make a police report first.
  4. Call the MOM FDW helpline on 1800 339 5505 or use MOM's online dispute form.
  5. If the helper has absconded, report to MOM promptly to protect your security bond.

Quick checklist

  • Provided the rest day, full salary, medical care, safe housing, and left her passport with her
  • Kept house rules reasonable and lawful
  • Separated performance problems from genuine misconduct
  • Made a police report for any suspected crime
  • Reported an absconding helper to MOM promptly to protect the S$5,000 bond
  • Noted the MOM FDW helpline (1800 339 5505) and the Centre for Domestic Employees

Frequently asked questions

How do I complain to MOM about my maid?

Call the MOM Foreign Domestic Worker helpline on 1800 339 5505 (weekdays) or use MOM’s online dispute form. For a suspected crime such as theft, make a police report first. Gather dates and evidence before you report.

Can I blacklist my helper in Singapore?

There is no official employer blacklist. You can leave a factual reference about her conduct with MOM, decline to give transfer consent, and report genuine misconduct. You cannot punish her by withholding pay, passport, or rest day.

What are my helper’s basic rights?

A weekly rest day, full and timely salary, proper medical care and insurance, safe accommodation with adequate food, her own passport, and freedom from abuse or confinement. These are Work Permit conditions, not optional extras.

My helper has gone missing. What do I do?

Act fast. Try her contacts and agency, make a police report, and report the missing helper to MOM promptly. Your S$5,000 security bond can be forfeited if she cannot be located and you did not report in time.

Are foreign domestic workers covered by the Employment Act?

No. Helpers are regulated by MOM through the Work Permit conditions, not the Employment Act, and the general TADM salary-mediation route does not apply. MOM’s FDW helpline is the main channel for disputes.

Where can my helper get help if she is in distress?

The MOM FDW helpline (1800 339 5505), the Centre for Domestic Employees, her embassy, and NGOs such as HOME and FAST. A responsible employer knows these exist and never obstructs access to them.

Can I withhold my helper’s salary if she did something wrong?

No. Salary deductions are tightly restricted and cannot be used as punishment. Report genuine misconduct to MOM instead. Unlawful deductions are an offence that can cost you your security bond.

What is the difference between a performance problem and misconduct?

A performance problem such as slow or careless work is resolved directly or with agency mediation. Misconduct such as theft, dishonesty, or abuse is reported to MOM, and to the police if a crime is involved.

Can I stop my helper from transferring to another employer?

You can decline to give transfer consent, which means she would need to return home before working for someone else. Use this fairly and for genuine reasons, not as retaliation, since MOM can review the circumstances.

Reviewed by Yvonne, licensed employment consultant at Upwill (MOM EA Licence 24C2628). If you are unsure whether to report or resolve a situation, contact the Upwill team and we will advise before you act.