Frequently Asked Questions

No, they are not allowed to do so. Once your MDW has started working with you, your EA must hand over to your MDW her travel documents and her work permit card. EAs are not allowed, even at the request of an employer or the MDW, to hold onto an MDW's documents for longer than necessary for administrative processing.

No. An MDW can only work as a domestic worker and for the employer stated in her work permit. It is illegal for any person to ask an MDW to work for another employer or to perform non-domestic work, whether it is on her rest day or not. Likewise, it is illegal for an employer to hire or engage someone else's MDW to work for him or her.

Your MDW may work for you at another residential address under certain circumstances. For example, if she takes care of your young children or parents at a family member's home while you are at work. The MDW must agree to the arrangement and should not be asked to do the full load of housework in both homes.

The MDW will have committed an offence of illegal employment if she works for someone else, regardless of whether the work is done on her rest day or not. You should warn your MDW against working illegally during her rest days. An MDW who works for another person other than her official employer is committing an offence under the EFMA.

Yes. The Employment of Foreign Manpower Act states that you must give your MDW a weekly rest day. If you would like your MDW to work on her rest day, you must come to a mutual agreement with your MDW on the number of rest days to forgo each month. Learn more about rest day requirements

Your MDW must be paid at least one day's wage for each rest day she forgoes. This is to be paid on top of and with her monthly salary. You can calculate your MDW's daily wage by dividing her monthly salary by 26 working days, as there are typically four weeks (and therefore four rest days) in a month.

Your MDW should be given the freedom to decide how she wants to spend her rest day. But you may encourage her to take part in constructive and meaningful activities such as educational courses and skills training, to help her spend her time more productively.

An MDW must be paid at least once a month. She must be paid no later than seven days after the last day of her salary period. If your MDW's salary period is from 1-31 May, then for the month of May, your MDW should receive her salary by 7 June.

From 1 January 2019, employers will not be allowed to safe-keep any money belonging to their MDWs, including paid salaries or any other money. The law requires employers to pay their MDWs' salaries in full and on time. You must pay her promptly and keep a written record of the monthly salary paid to her.

No deductions are allowed. You need to bear the cost of your MDW's upkeep and maintenance such as food, lodging, and medical and dental expenses. You are not allowed to make deductions for damages to household equipment from your MDW's salary, and you need to pay your MDW her salary in full. You must never make deductions from your MDW's salary to penalise her for performance issues.

Apart from not keeping her salaries, you are also encouraged to open a bank account under your MDW's name and deposit her monthly salary into her account promptly. You should not open a joint bank account with your MDW. Your MDW must have full access to her bank account. You should not keep her bank book or bank card on her behalf.

Minimum salaries vary by nationality. For Filipino helpers, the minimum is $570, for Indonesian helpers it's $550, and for helpers from other countries, market rates apply. Remember that offering competitive wages attracts more experienced and qualified helpers.

You must provide your MDW with access to medical treatment and bear her out-patient and in-patient medical expenses, e.g. visits to GP for normal flu/fever, or hospitalisation costs. Learn more about healthcare requirements

Your MDW is required to go for her 6ME to screen for pregnancies and infectious diseases every six months. MOM will send you a letter when your MDW is due for her 6ME. You must send her for the 6ME before the due date.

No, your security bond for your domestic worker will not be forfeited if she gets pregnant. However, she will need to return home, and you will need to inform MOM about her pregnancy.

Yes. You must buy medical insurance coverage of at least $15,000 per year for your MDW's in-patient care and day-surgery during her stay in Singapore. In addition, you must take up a Personal Accident Insurance policy, with a minimum assured sum of $60,000. View medical insurance requirements

You do not need to cancel her work permit. However, when she returns to Singapore, you may ask the authorities to waive the levy for the period she was away. You can do this at the MOM website.

MOM will send you a renewal notice six to eight weeks before your MDW's work permit expires. This notice will tell you how to renew her permit if you want to continue employing her. View work permit renewal guidelines

No, you must not retain or keep your MDW's work permit card as this is a breach of the work permit conditions. She is required to carry her original work permit card at all times, in case of any inspection by public officers.

Please do not do so. We have come across MDW-employer disputes arising from employer keeping the MDW's passport. If your MDW requests to leave her passport with you, inform her that the passport is her personal document and she should be keeping it.

As a good practice, you should try to get your MDW's passport and medical report in time for work pass renewal. If this is not possible, you may also refer to the MDW eServices to guide you through the process.

If your MDW's work permit has expired or if you wish to terminate her employment, you must need to cancel her work permit. To cancel the permit, buy a ticket for your MDW to go home and then log in to MDW eServices and follow the instructions there. Your EA might offer this service for a fee. Remember to return her work permit card by mail to MOM once she has left Singapore.

A work permit usually lasts two years before it expires (and it can often be renewed at this time). It can be revoked by MOM if you or your MDW break the terms of the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. Once a permit is revoked or expired, you must cancel it to avoid a claim on your insurance.

Once you realise that your MDW is missing, you must file a missing person police report and cancel your MDW's work permit within 1 week. It is against the law not to report to the authorities if your MDW goes missing. If you do not do so, you will also continue to incur the levy payment for your missing MDW.

Your security bond will be forfeited if you are aware of her wrongdoing and fail to report to MOM.

If the employment relationship doesn't work out, you can terminate the contract with proper notice as specified in the employment contract. You'll be responsible for repatriation costs. Upwill offers a replacement guarantee within the first 3 months if there's a legitimate mismatch between employer and helper.

The safety agreement is a joint statement signed by both the employer and the MDW. It is designed to ensure that the employer and the MDW are aware of and understand MOM's requirements for cleaning the exterior of window panes. Employers will state their requirement for the MDW to clean the window exterior in accordance to MOM's regulations.

It is your responsibility as an employer to ensure your MDW is provided with proper accommodation which meets all the following requirements: Adequate shelter, Provision of basic amenities, Sufficient ventilation, Ensuring safety and sanitation, Ensuring modesty, Ensuring space and privacy. View detailed accommodation guidelines

Some employers may install video recording equipment in their homes. If you choose to do so, you must inform your MDW of the video recording device and where it has been placed. Please take note that you must not install CCTVs in areas that will compromise your MDW's modesty, for example, where they sleep, change their clothes, or the bathroom area.

You are a Frequent Change Employer if you have changed MDWs multiple times within a 12-month period. You have to meet certain requirements before you can employ another worker. If you have changed more than 3 MDWs within a 12-month period, and you want to apply for another one, you will have to attend a classroom Employers' Orientation Course (EOP) or attend an interview with MOM before they process your application.

As an employer, you must inform MOM within 12 hours of learning of the death of your MDW. To report a death: 1. Contact the police. 2. Email the required information to mom_wpd@mom.gov.sg including your name and contact numbers, MDW's name, Work Permit number, cause of death, date, time and place of death.

To hire a domestic helper in Singapore, you must be at least 21 years old, financially capable of supporting the helper (minimum monthly income of $5,000), and provide suitable accommodation. Additional requirements may apply based on your specific circumstances.

The hiring process typically takes between 4-8 weeks, depending on various factors including origin country of the helper, documentation processing times, and preparation for deployment. With Upwill's streamlined process, we aim to minimize delays and keep you informed throughout.

Employers must purchase a $5,000 Security Bond for each non-Malaysian helper they hire. This bond serves as a form of insurance that you'll fulfill your obligations as an employer. Malaysian helpers are exempt from this requirement.

Yes, it's possible to hire a domestic helper who is already in Singapore working for another employer. This 'transfer helper' arrangement can save time and costs compared to hiring from overseas. Upwill can assist with the transfer process, ensuring all legal requirements are met.

You'll need to prepare your NRIC, proof of income (latest 3 months' payslips or latest Income Tax Assessment), proof of address, and details of all household members. Upwill will guide you through all documentation requirements during the application process.

Helpers undergo training specific to their country of origin, and Upwill provides additional training in areas like household management, childcare, elderly care, cooking, and safety procedures. We also offer customized training based on your specific household needs.