Hiring a maid in Singapore directly i.e. without an agent, is something that some employers do consider. So what are the key things one has to go through when bringing a maid directly into Singapore?
10 Major Considerations
- Eligibility and Requirements: Singapore has specific eligibility criteria and requirements for hiring domestic helpers. Both the employer and the helper must meet certain conditions, such as the helper’s nationality, age, and relevant work experience. You need to do the necessary background checks to ensure the helper you bring in meets these requirements before proceeding.
- Work Permit: The helper needs a valid work permit to work in Singapore. It is the employer’s responsibility to apply for and renew the work permit as needed. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) manages these permits, and non-compliance can result in severe penalties.
- Employment Contract: You should have a clear, written employment contract that outlines the terms and conditions of employment. This should cover working hours, rest days, salary, duties, and other relevant matters. It’s crucial to adhere to the terms of the contract and to make it compliant with MOM regulations or legal penalties may be incurred.
- Accommodation and Welfare: Employers must provide suitable accommodation and meals for their helpers. You should ensure that the living conditions are safe and hygienic. Additionally, taking care of your helper’s well-being and addressing their concerns is important. This has to be made clear to the helper upfront even before the air-ticket is bought.
- Ensuring the Helper Boards The Plane: Employers have no assurance that the helper will board the plane even after all the necessary administration work has been done. Unless one travels physically to the source country, this is very much a question until the helper boards the plane and lands in Singapore.
- Termination and Disputes: Understand the procedures for terminating employment and resolving disputes. MOM has guidelines on the termination of contracts and dispute resolution and these need to be internalised in order to ensure dispute resolution mechanisms do not fall foul of the law.
- Insurance: It is compulsory to have basic insurance coverage for your helper, which can include personal accident insurance and medical insurance.
- Legal Consequences: Failure to comply with Singapore’s regulations regarding the hiring of domestic helpers can lead to legal consequences, such as fines, imprisonment, or even being banned from employing helpers in the future.
- Cultural and Communication Differences: Be prepared for potential cultural differences and communication challenges, as your helper may come from a different cultural background and may not speak English fluently. Directly hiring a helper means that one may not have a sense of the quality of the training the helper has received previously too.
- Time and Effort: Hiring and managing a domestic helper is a major responsibility. It requires time and effort to ensure a smooth working relationship and legal compliance. Beyond that, the search time is significant and comes with no guarantees as one is fully responsible for the helper once they have selected the candidate and brought her into Singapore.
To Sum Up
Directly hiring a maid can be a huge hassle. It is thus essential to carefully weigh these issues on your mind before deciding whether to hire a maid directly in Singapore or seek help from a professional and licensed agent.
Should you have further queries about this topic or need assistance in any way regarding your maid, do feel free to reach out below, and we will do our best to help!