FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Who can apply for Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW)?
Singaporean, PR, Work permit, Employment pass holder..... etc.
Combined family income shall be $3000 or above.
Except foreigner on social visit, such as on holiday or short term visit to Singapore. And those blacklisted by MOM.

How much is FDW employer's levy?
$265 per month (normal)
$170 per month  (concessionary) - if your children (Singaporean) is less than 12 years old or you are living with elderly persons 65 years old or above. Subject to MOM approval.
Government announce that they may reduce to levy in the near future

Deployment time required?
Some worker requires 2 weeks while other may need more than 1 week. Deploy time will depend on training involve, season and training school availability. During holiday season, it is difficult to book air ticket; Entry Test and Orientation Program.

How accurate our FDW’s bio data?
We do what we can to make it accurate, by interviewing our applicants and their current employers or if possible their previous employers.  For those fresh (NEW) applicants we will call them to make it sure that their information written in their bio data is true and accurate.  One of the best ways to ensure FDW’s performance is to talk to their current or previous employers, however you can rely on some of their testimonials if they are not contactable.  

How much I need to spend in order to have a FDW?
Apart from FDW's salary, employer are required to provide sufficient food, suitable accommodation, medical expenses, insurance, government levy and the cost to send FDW’s home even she can't finish her contract (Sorry but this is our government requirement). Our fee included accident insurance and some medical insurance for our newly deployed maid. 

How does FDW benefit to my family?
FDW can take care of your house hold chores and your children, so you can focus on your career or enjoy your life better.

What is employer's responsibility?
Please refer to MOM's work permit terms and conditions.  Standard Employment Agreement between FDW and Employer, and also the Standard Service agreement. Employers are responsible to maintain the well being of their FDW, medical expenses, food, accommodation, allow external communication and repatriation of maid to home town after termination of work permit.

Can I instruct my FDW to help my relative?
MOM does not allow. Under work permit regulation, FDW only allows to work at the specified address given on their work permit.

In case employer not satisfy with FDW's performance, what is the procedure?
We will counsel them to improve their performance. We will continue to train them and monitoring their progress.  If FDW does not perform well, employer can inform us to arrange for replacement. (Refer to their Standard Service Agreement)
The most convenience way is to allow the existing FDW to work until she finds new employer.  
There are several advantage
      1. Employer has to support their FDW’s levy and cost of living, for 21 days or more 
          in case they require accommodation from their agent.
      2. Employer can not apply a replacement of FDW's work permit until her existing
          FDW transferred to a new employer.
Let the existing FDW continue to work until she has found new employer, this will help to minimize cost and inconvenience. For details, please refer to your Standard Employment Contract.

Can an employer repatriate their FDW without agency agreement?
No. Employer and FDW’s agency shall work closely together.  In case of dispute, employer or FDW shall inform their agency immediately, who will help to resolve dispute. Some of FDW needs a placement fee to work in Singapore which an agency has to settle their entire placement fee plus other expenses before the FDW enter Singapore, therefore the employer can not repatriate their FDW’s without the agreement of the agency.

In case employer is not satisfy with FDW’s performance. Agency will provide replacement to employer. However, FDW needs job to support their family too. Agency will try to train and place them again they shall be re-deployed to other employer. 

Under Standard Service Agreement, employer has to seek agency agreement in writing before employer repatriate their FDW. In case employer is not satisfied with their FDW, they shall request for replacement. Employer and agency shall work together to ensure that the current FDW works as normal until the new replacement arrives.

If employer returns FDW to agency, does her advance placement fee be refunded?
Yes. This amount is a placement fee by the FDW from the agency; Employer pays in advance to FDW’s agency.  Once the employer FDW returns her FDW to the agency the balance amount will be refunded to employer after 21 days. (See Standard Service Agreement).  If the amount of advanced salary is 6 months, the maid work for 3 months, the remaining 3 months advanced pay will be refunded to the employer. (For details please refer to Standard Service Agreement).

When employer goes to work or vacation, can they lock their FDW inside their house to prevent them from going out or running away?
No. This is not advisable and is against Singapore law. (Please refer to the EOP for First Time Employer).

In case my FDW is sick, who shall pay for the medical cost?
The employer.  It is requires from MOM that the employer shall pay for their FDW's medical cost and all other basic needs e.g. food & accommodation...etc. We strongly recommend employer to buy additional medical insurance.  Please ensure the policy is sufficient to cover potential medical expenses. 

Do FDW protected by Singapore law?
Yes.  They are protected by Singapore law. Abuse will be persecuted. We will assist all our clients to resolve dispute and improve our FDW’s working performance.  Kindly contact us if you need our service and assistance.

FDW’s has home sick problem ?
When FDW suffer from home sick, her performance will be affected and become emotion. (Apply to fresh NEW FDW) It is difficult to prevent but chance may be reduced if employer take the necessary steps:

1. Who will take care of FDW's family if she comes to Singapore?
    Employer shall question all applicants to find out what will be the arrangement. Some   
    applicants don't have enough backup. Her family is to rely on the applicant.
    Applicant may only be attracted by better salary but forget to make necessary
    arrangement. Once she leaves home and problem start to surface.  Our agency
    provides necessary advises to employer during phone interview. (Apply to fresh NEW 
    FDW).
2. Salary deduction period?
    All employee works for salary. Maid may have salary deduction period. Duration may
    be varies between agencies. Employee (not just maid) will be depressed if the period
    is too long.
3. Communication with family?
    When I go oversea for 2 to 3 days, I will start to miss my family. I will call home to
    ensure they are well. So does our maid, if they lose contact with their family, they
    may miss them so much. However, they may also affect from trouble in their home.
    Carefully manage their communication and give advice to them when necessary.

What does Employment agencies' role?
Employment agencies shall
1. Providing good applicants for the employer selection.
2. Process all necessary documentation.
3. Explain all the details in their Standard Employment Contract and Standard Service 
   Agreement etc.
3. Follow up with the maid and employer to maintain a good relationship at least every 2 to 3 months from the commencement date.

What Could Go Wrong?

In case you are wondering what can go wrong... Sometimes, the FDW changes her mind about working with an employer at the last minute. Sometimes, it's the other way around. Hey, even the FDW's current employer also changes her mind about letting the FDW transfer to another employer. That means that the potential employer cannot employ the girl. Things get worse with a deadline. And then, the agency gets blamed.

(Gosh! People have a mind of their own. An agency cannot force them on their decisions!)
Sometimes, the MOM may, for their own reasons, ask for further information on an application, and delaying the transfer of the helper. Sometimes, the helper's current employer totally disagrees with the new employer's schedule on the transfer of the helper - and that was after she has earlier agreed to it. Sometimes, the old and new employer quarrel over this, and we get a scolding through no fault of ours.

(Geez! What can we do if people disagree?)
Am I done with the list yet? Not by a long shot... Sometimes, the helper's current employer simply sends the FDW’s home to their own country "punish" her for whatever reason. Sometimes, the employer is so fussy; she can change one FDW every month!

(Please! No helper is perfect! And, neither is the employer. We are not perfect either. Be "BIG" about forgiving people on their mistakes.)
And then, there is the employer who gives reasons for not paying the helper her salary. Plus, deducting the FDW’s salary when day off is taken or when things are damage, there are others who don't give sufficient food to the helper. Are noodles, a piece of bread, egg, sardines, 3 days or more left over food given almost every to the FDW sufficient? Why not ask the employer if they can eat those foods almost everyday!  FDW are human being too like employer, they need healthy food to get energy so that they can perform well in their daily chores.  The worst thing is the FDW has to use their hardly earn money to buy their own food or their neighbors/friends FDW gives food to them because of insufficient food from their employer. “Some employers can not be bothered” And there are yet others who insist on kicking the FDW out for whatever reason. By the way, the MOM takes a very serious view of these abuses, and it is our duty to report them.

FACT: Life is too short for bearing grudges. Why not forgive and forget, and be happy?

If two parties can not work together give chance to each other to find new FDW for the employer and new employer for the FDW.