No. Foreign domestic workers (FDWs) are not covered under Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) because they live and work close to their employers in the same premises, making it difficult to determine whether any injury sustained in the premises was due to work-related activities. However, employers are required to buy personal accident insurance (PAI) for FDWs to provide them compensation in the event of death or permanent disability during their stay in Singapore.

Yes. Attending the Employers’ Orientation Programme (EOP) is required as long as the employer is employing a foreign domestic worker (FDW) for the first time in Singapore.

As an employer, you will be responsible for the health and well-being of your foreign domestic worker. This includes ensuring that she has adequate privacy and sleeping space in the home where she is staying.

If you live in a 2-room HDB flat, you may have a space constraint with only 1 bedroom. We will consider your eligibility and need to employ an FDW.

Aside from employing an FDW, you could consider engaging a domestic cleaning service for household chores, and tapping on your extended family, or childcare and eldercare facilities for help with care-giving needs.

Yes. If you hold a Personalised Employment Pass (PEP), you can apply for a Work Permit for a foreign domestic worker (FDW).

For your application, you will need to provide copies of the following:

• Your passport.
• Your work pass or your spouse's Long Term Pass.
• Your child's birth certificate or student pass (for Long Term Visit Pass holders).
• You and your spouse's Income Tax Notice of Assessment for the current or previous assessment year (if any). Alternatively, you can give your consent to the Controller of Work Passes to verify your income with the Comptroller of Income Tax.

Note: If you or your spouse are unable to produce the required Income Tax Notice of Assessment, you must give the reasons in writing and an employment letter from your company (on the company's letterhead) stating the employment start date and the monthly salary.

If you are unable to produce any of the supporting documents, you can provide the following alternatives:

• Reasons in writing.
• Other documentary proof of income, overseas Income Tax of Assessment or fixed deposit statement with a local bank.

Yes. If you hold an Employment Pass or S Pass, you can apply for a Work Permit for a foreign domestic worker (FDW).

For your application, you will need to provide copies of the following:

• Your passport.
• Your work pass or your spouse's Long Term Pass.
• Your child's birth certificate or student pass (for Long Term Visit Pass holders).
• You and your spouse's Income Tax Notice of Assessment for the current or previous assessment year (if any). Alternatively, you can give your consent to the Controller of Work Passes to verify your income with the Comptroller of Income Tax.

Note: If you or your spouse are unable to produce the required Income Tax Notice of Assessment, you must give the reasons in writing and an employment letter from your company (on the company's letterhead) stating the employment start date and the monthly salary.

If you are unable to produce any of the supporting documents, you can provide the following alternatives:

• Reasons in writing.
• Other documentary proof of income, overseas Income Tax of Assessment or fixed deposit statement with a local bank.

If you are a single person, we will assess your eligibility and need to employ a foreign domestic worker (FDW).

To apply, you:

• Must be 21 years old and above.
• Cannot be an undischarged bankrupt when making the application.
• Must be earning a steady source of income, because employing a FDW comes with various costs, including the FDW’s salary, levy, medical insurance and food.

Find out more about the process to employ an FDW.

You can appeal your debarment by writing to the Minister for Manpower, 18 Havelock Road, Singapore 059764.

According to the Work Permit Conditions, a foreign domestic worker (FDW) is allowed to work only for the employer at the residential address stated on the Work Permit. This is to prevent FDWs from being exploited into working for multiple households and employers.

Your relative will have to be the official employer if they require an FDW.

If your relative is unable to meet the existing criteria for employing an FDW, they can consider applying under a special scheme such as the Joint Income Scheme or Sponsorship Scheme.

If you are aged 60 years old or above, not earning an income and not staying with any working adults, you can apply under the Sponsorship Scheme.

Aside from employing an FDW, you could consider engaging a domestic cleaning service for household chores, and tapping on your extended family, or childcare and eldercare facilities for help with care-giving needs.

Yes, you can apply for a Work Permit for a Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) or renew your FDW's Work Permit directly through our eService using your SingPass.

Yes, you can extend her work permit for up to one month.

Her work permit must be:

• Within 30 days before expiry.
• Eligible for renewal.

Yes, you can request to extend the validity of the “Letter of Notification to bring Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) into Singapore”.

Include the following in your request:

• Your FDW’s full name, Work Permit number and date of birth.
• Your full name and NRIC number or CPF reference number
• Your residential address and direct contact number.
• The reasons for the extension.

Submit your request via iSubmit. Under Request Type, choose option 5.

You can get the lower levy for up to 2 foreign domestic workers (FDWs) per household (employer and spouse). This is subject to the conditions being met for each FDW.

No, you cannot get a refund.

However, if you have attended the Employers' Orientation Programme (EOP), you can use your attendance for future Work Permit applications.

Yes. Under the sponsorship scheme, the employer is the elderly person. As such, the elderly person would be able to enjoy the levy concession if they are eligible for levy concession.

As employers of FDWs directly benefit from hiring them, they must bear all the costs of maintaining their FDWs. This includes any medical costs necessary for her health.

Hence, you are not allowed to make your FDW pay for her medical expenses. This includes medical expenses that are part of, or above what the insurance pays.

To help employers better manage the risk of having to pay large sums of money for their medical FDW’s medical expenses, MOM already requires you to buy both medical insurance and personal accident insurance of a minimum coverage for your FDW before you’re allowed to employ her.

Employers are encouraged to buy insurance with a higher coverage to protect themselves from any excessive medical bills.

You may be able to hire a second FDW if you have any of these family members living with you:

• At least 2 children below 18 years old.
• A parent or parent-in-law over 60 years old.

No.

It is an offence for a foreign domestic worker (FDW) to engage in part-time employment, with or without her employer’s consent.

Under the Work Permit conditions, an FDW is employed to perform domestic chores only for her employer at the residential address stated in her Work Permit card.

Yes, you are eligible to hire a foreign domestic worker, provided your Long Term Visit Pass is valid when you apply for her Work Permit.

You will also have to meet all other criteria for employing FDWs.

As an employer, you are responsible for the well-being and upkeep of your FDW. This applies even if you are overseas, e.g. on holiday or business trip.

You must continue to pay her salary during your absence.

You can do one of the following:

• Leave her at home.
• Allow her to return to her home country for home leave.
• Leave her with a friend or relative. You need to:
  • Seek approval from MOM.
  • Ensure that the person you’re leaving her with can take care of her well-being, and does not deploy her for work.
• Leave her at commercially provided housing such as accommodation for FDWsprovided by EAs or dormitories for female workers. You need to seek approval from MOM.

To seek approval:

1. Send an online request at least 3 working days before your trip, include the following details:
   • Name, address and relationship of the person your FDW will be staying with.
   • Name of EA or dormitory operator.
   • Duration and dates of her stay.
2. You will receive a reply from MOM whether your request is approved or rejected.

If your FDW remains in Singapore, you must ensure she don’t need to pay for her upkeep, including food, medical treatment and accommodation.

You can renew your FDW’s Work Permit after you receive the letter from MOM about 8 weeks before the Work Permit expires.

However, if you need to renew her Work Permit earlier, you can submit a request.

Yes, you can repatriate your foreign domestic worker (FDW) to another destination that is not her home country if you both agree to this. You need to notify us of this arrangement when you cancel the Work Permit.

On the cancellation page, select the option declaring that you are repatriating your FDW to a destination other than their home country, and that both of you have reached a mutual agreement.

You should also ensure that she has a proper entry visa to the other country, if needed.

Yes, you can continue to do so. The home-based 6ME service is just an additional option for you to consider.

According to the Work Permit conditions, a foreign domestic worker (FDW) is employed to perform domestic chores only for her employer at the residential address stated in her Work Permit card.

If your FDW is found working at any location other than at your residential address, it is a breach of the law.

However, we understand that you may prefer to have your FDW take care of your children under the supervision of your relatives while you are at work.

We allow this arrangement, but only during the daytime and only with the FDW’s agreement. You must ensure that your FDW does not perform the full load of housework in both households.

You must be living in Singapore to employ a foreign domestic worker (FDW), but you do not need to be here during the application. You will still need to remain contactable if clarification is needed regarding your application.

You and your foreign domestic worker (FDW) should mutually agree on who should pay for her passport renewal. This should be decided preferably at the start of her employment and stated in the employment contract.

Passport renewal fees can be relatively costly for an FDW. While you are not required to pay for your FDW’s passport renewal, you could consider helping with the cost out of goodwill.

Yes, you will need to submit a new application each time you intend to hire a foreign domestic worker (FDW).

MOM does not prescribe minimum wages for all workers in Singapore, including FDWs.

Yes, you must do so. You need to pay levy up till the date she is transferred to her new employer. Thus, levy will be charged even if you sent the helper back to the employment agency while she waits for the transfer.

The process of finding a new employer may take a few weeks, so you should check regularly with the employment agency on the progress of the transfer.

Once her new employer issues the Work Permit, we will automatically cancel her current Work Permit and stop your levy billing.

A sponsor who has not employed an FDW before must attend the Employers’ Orientation Programme (EOP), only if the official employer has a valid reason for not being able to attend, e.g. 60 years of age or older and suffers physical disability.

As the sponsor will be managing the FDW in the employment relationship, attendance at the EOP will help them know their legal responsibilities and obligations of employing an FDW.

The foreign domestic worker (FDW) should make her claim to the Foreign Manpower Management Division (Well-Being Branch). She can call our FDW helpline at 1800 339 5505 (or +65 6339 5505 for overseas callers).

The department will help her to recover her salary through conciliation.

Failure to pay an FDW’s salary is an offence. To minimise disputes, employers should pay an FDW’s salary within 1 week after the end of the month worked and keep records of salary payment.

You will be informed of this requirement in the “Letter of Notification to bring FDW into Singapore”.

You can also check WP Online for whether your foreign domestic worker (FDW) is required to attend the SIP.

The Work Permit system keeps a record of FDWs and their employment history and will identify which FDWs are new to Singapore.

When hiring an FDW, you may be asked to produce a Notice of Assessment (NOA) from IRAS to show your past years' income.

However, if you have just started working or returned from overseas, you can provide the following documents instead:

• Your employment letter.
• Your CPF statements.

You need to:

1. Pay all your outstanding levy using Check and pay levy.
2. Submit your reinstatement request before the deadline stated in the Work Permit suspension letter.
3. Pay $35 to reinstate your helper's Work Permit.

If you’re unable to pay online:

1. Use other payment methods.
2. Wait 5 working days for the payment to be processed before requesting to reinstate your helper's Work Permit.

You cannot reinstate your helper's Work Permit if you have defaulted on levy more than 2 times within the last 12 months.

Please note that if the Work Permit is successfully reinstated, you will also be liable for levy for the period when it was revoked.

You are eligible to hire a second foreign domestic worker (FDW) if you have any of these family members living with you:

• At least 2 children below 18 years old.
• A parent or parent-in-law over 60 years old.

You also need to provide sufficient privacy and sleeping space in the house for the 2 FDWs.

To apply for the second FDW, submit a Work Permit application and provide the relevant information:

• A copy of the children's birth certificates.
• A copy of the parent's or parent-in-law's identity cards and the employer's or spouse's birth certificate.

Each household can hire up to 2 FDWs.

You are strongly encouraged to provide your FDW with weekly rest days as it provides her with a physical, emotional, and mental break from work. This helps to improve your FDW’s productivity at work.

However, if you and your FDW mutually agree for her to work on her rest day, you must pay her at least 1 day’s salary for each rest day she does not take, on top of her monthly salary.

Note: 1 day’s salary can be calculated by dividing her monthly salary by 26 working days, as there are typically 4 weeks and therefore 4 rest days in a month.

You can check on an employment agency’s (EA) track record in the EA directory, which lists employment agencies licensed by MOM. Indicators of performance include:

• Successful retention rate.
• Total number of foreign domestic workers (FDWs) the EA placed in the previous year.

You can check the employment record of a prospective FDW by:

• Logging in to WP Online – you will need a SingPass and the FDW's Work Permit number.
• Enquiring through an employment agency.

You can log in to the FDW eService to check your helper’s last 6-monthly medical examination (6ME) date, or if your helper is due for 6ME.

You can submit the results of the completed 6ME via iSubmit.

We will process your request within 3 working days upon receiving the completed medical form.

You may view the 6ME status online. 

The medical insurance requirement provides cover for a foreign domestic worker (FDW)'s medical expenses, including hospital bills arising from treatment for causes that may not be work-related.

It serves a different purpose from the other employer-paid insurance requirements, such as:

• Work injury compensation insurance. This covers compensation, including medical expenses, for work-related injuries only. It also applies to both local and foreign workers.
• Personal accident insurance for FDWs. This insures against accidental death and permanent disablement, not medical expenses.

Open POSB Payroll Account

You can help your FDW open a POSB Payroll Account through the Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE).

With this account applied through CDE, your FDW:

• Does not need to have a minimum deposit.
• Does not need to maintain a minimum balance every month.

Your FDW must not already have an account with POSB or DBS to enjoy these benefits.

You can also help your new FDW apply for a DBS Payroll Account during the work pass issuance process.

An elderly person can apply for a foreign domestic worker (FDW) under a special scheme: the Joint Income Scheme or the Sponsorship Scheme.

You can:

• Call the Police at 999 if you are in danger 
  OR
• Call the FDW Helpline at 1800 339 5505 to speak to an MOM officer.

If your foreign domestic worker (FDW) is a first-time FDW in Singapore, she is required to attend the SIP.

A first-time FDW is one who:

• Doesn’t have an employment record with MOM’s Work Pass Division.
• Has Work Permit records with MOM but did not collect her Work Permit card, or collected the card but did not eventually work in Singapore.

It can take some time to find a suitable replacement FDW and arrange for her to come to Singapore, so you should aim to apply for a work permit at least one month before the work permit of your current FDW expires.

Upon the approval of your new FDW’s work permit, you only need to cancel your current FDW’s work permit just before you get the new FDW’s work permit issued.

Yes. You must still pay for the costs of providing the necessary medical treatment for her, even if the illness or injury occurs on her rest day.

Yes. You will need to provide proof of stay at this temporary residence, such as a copy of your NRIC (front and back) and tenancy agreement. Once you have moved, you also need to inform MOM of your new residential address.

All employees – whether local or foreign, including your foreign domestic worker (FDW) – can terminate the employment contract at any time, as long as they serve the required notice stated in their contract, or make payment in lieu of notice. This is to maintain flexibility for both the employer and the FDW. When employees do so, it is not considered a breach of contract. Likewise, employers should also give notice as stated in the contract if they intend to end the FDW’s employment prematurely.

Both employers and FDWs may need to terminate a contract early for unanticipated reasons. To cater for this, employment contracts typically provide for such flexibility through termination clauses, which can be exercised before contract expiry. That said, many employment agencies do provide assistance to employers, such as finding a replacement, if the FDW terminates her employment contract early.

Employers must also make sure that their FDWs are paid before they leave. Failure to do so is an offence under the EFMA.

No, there is no minimum period for employing a foreign domestic worker (FDW).

Once your new helper’s Work Permit is approved, you can ask for a handover period. We will inform you of the outcome instantly.

Yes. You must pay your FDW’s salary as long as she is employed by you.

This applies even if you have sent her to the employment agency for training.

If you are the employer and cannot access the FDW eService as you don't have a valid SingPass, you can request to cancel the work permit of your helper who passed away in Singapore. An authorised person can also submit the request on behalf of the employer.

You will need to upload a copy of the following documents in your request:

• Death certificate
• Airway bill if the ashes or body has been sent back to the home country.
  OR
  Burial certificate if the body has been buried in Singapore.
  OR
  Cremation certificate if the body has been cremated in Singapore.

You should also ensure that all salaries have been paid and employment issues settled, before submitting the request.

We will cancel the work permit within 3 working days of receiving the request.

No, the employer need not do so unless this is provided for in the employment contract.

Sending your foreign domestic worker (FDW) home after her employment ends is part of your responsibility as an employer. This is a condition of the Security Bond.

Employers may also send their FDWs to another destination by mutual agreement. Both employers and FDWs are encouraged to be understanding, and to exercise flexibility when doing so. You can inform MOM of this arrangement when cancelling the Work Permit.

However in cases where both employers and FDWs are unable to come to an agreement, you can contact MOM for a decision.

If you are the employer and cannot access the FDW eService as you don’t have a valid SingPass, you can request to cancel the work permit of your helper. An authorised person can also submit the request on behalf of the employer.

You will need to upload a letter from the relevant government agency confirming your helper has been arrested, or is helping with an investigation. Otherwise, give us the investigation officer's contact details.

We will cancel the work permit within 3 working days of receiving the request.

If your FDW is 50 years old or above, she doesn’t need to go for 6ME.

She only needs to go for medical examination upon renewal of her Work Permit.

If you are the employer and cannot access the FDW eService as you don't have a valid SingPass, you can request to cancel the work permit of your missing helper. An authorised person can also submit the request on behalf of the employer.

You will need to upload the missing person police report in your request.

We will cancel the work permit within 3 working days of receiving the request.

The notice period gives foreign domestic workers (FDWs) and employers time for a smooth handover and transition.

Just like with any other employment contract, responsible FDWs who decide to end their employment contracts early need to either serve the notice period, or pay in-lieu of notice. You should explain to your FDW that she is contractually bound to serve the notice period, and discuss with your FDW to find a mutually agreed solution.

There are some cases where FDWs may need to terminate their contract early, without being able to pay the salary in lieu of notice. Employers are encouraged to exercise compassion where appropriate, and find a mutually agreed solution, such as a shorter notice period or waiving part of the salary in lieu of notice.

If your FDW is leaving and you have urgent caregiving needs, you may approach an employment agency that is under the Advance Placement Scheme to hire another FDW quickly.

The FDW’s monthly salary includes basic monthly salary plus any fixed monthly allowances.

It doesn’t include salary in lieu of rest days, although employers must still pay their FDWs if they work on a rest day.

Our EA Licence Conditions require employment agencies (EA)s to state their refund policies in their contracts with employers. This includes refunds for loans extended by employers to their FDWs for the placement fee.

Therefore, if the FDW terminates her employment prematurely with an outstanding placement loan, employers should refer to the contract they signed with their EA for details on the refunds for loans. The contract will lay out whether and under what circumstances they can get a full or partial refund.

There are also EAs which do not require employers to extend placement loans to FDWs. Hence, the issue of a refund will not arise. Employers should inform the EA if they prefer such an arrangement.

As an employer of an FDW, you benefit directly from hiring her. Hence, you must bear all the costs of maintaining her. This includes any medical cost necessary for her health.

Employers must purchase medical insurance of a minimum coverage. This helps the employer to cover the FDW’s medical bills.

It is a breach of the work pass regulatory conditions if employer doesn’t buy the required medical insurance. If found to be in breach, the employer faces a fine, and may also be barred from employing FDWs.

You can print a duplicate of the notification letter.

You need a SingPass to access it.

If your foreign domestic worker fails to attend the SIP within 3 working days of arrival in Singapore, excluding the day of arrival, she will not be issued her Work Permit and will be sent home.

Working days are Monday to Saturday, excluding Sunday and public holidays.

Your foreign domestic worker’s (FDW) Work Permit will be revoked if you fail to send her for her checkup on time. If you wish to continue employing the FDW, you can quickly inform MOM by:

• Calling 6438 5122.
• Online request.

Otherwise, please arrange to send her home immediately. An overstaying fine may be charged.

PAI insures against accidental death or permanent disablement. It provides a lump sum compensation to the beneficiaries of the policy if unfortunate events happen.

FDW employers are required to buy medical insurance with a minimum sum assured of at least $15,000 per year. This covers hospitalisation and surgery expenses.

The personal accident insurance (PAI), however, provides a lump sum compensation to the FDWs or their next of kin if the FDW suffers from permanent disability or passes away due to an accident. The required minimum sum assured for PAI is $60,000 from 1 October 2017.

If you engage an employment agency (EA) to help you with hiring a foreign domestic worker (FDW), the EA is responsible for:

• The FDW’s upkeep and maintenance, including accommodation, from her arrival until she is successfully placed for employment, or until she is sent home if unsuccessfully placed.
• Sending the FDW home, and bearing the cost of doing so, if she is unsuccessfully placed.
• Ensuring that you and the FDW sign the safety agreement.

The EA should only place the FDW for employment after she has attended the Settling-In Programme (SIP).

There is no maximum number of years a foreign domestic worker (FDW) can work for the same employer. However, the maximum age that the FDW can work in Singapore is 60 years old.

While the household income or monthly salary is a qualifying criteria, we are unable to reveal the exact amount.

This salary requirement is set based on the realistic overall cost of hiring a foreign domestic worker (FDW), including worker's salary, levy, insurance, food and other expenses.

The household income will be assessed based on the type of application:

• For married couples, you can combine income with your spouse.
• Under the Joint Income Scheme, you can combine your income with one of your immediate family members (other than your spouse) living at the same address.
• If you are aged 60 years old or above, not earning an income and not staying with any working adults, you can apply under the Sponsorship Scheme.

Aside from employing a foreign domestic worker, you could a engage a domestic cleaning service to take care of household chores or tap on your extended family to look after the child or the elderly person. You can also consider childcare or after-school care and elderly day-care facilities.

You can send feedback to us with her details by:

• Report an infringement online.
• Email to mom_fmmd@mom.gov.sg

Alternatively, you can:

• Advise her to call

• Accompany her to make a complaint personally at: 
  MOM Services Centre – Hall A 
  1500 Bendemeer Road 
  Singapore 339946

Find out more about well-being for FDWs.

You should:

1. Book your FDW on another flight home.
2. Log in to WPOL to:
   • Change her departure date.
   • Extend her Special Pass.

When choosing an employment agency to help you with hiring a foreign domestic worker (FDW), you must ensure that it is a licensed agency.

You should also look at its track record. Indicators of performance include:

• Successful retention rate.
• Total number of FDWs placed by the agency in the previous year.

The passing of a loved one is a difficult time for the family. MOM recognises that time is needed to settle the immediate issues.

After that, the family of the employer has to do one of the following:

• Cancel the Work Permit and send the helper home.
• Transfer the helper to another employer or a family member.

Cancel Work Permit and send her home

To cancel the helper's Work Permit:

1. Ensure that all issues arising from the employment, including outstanding wages, have been settled with the helper.
2. After all issues are settled, family members can either:
   • Appoint an employment agency to help cancel the Work Permit online.
   • Request to cancel the work permit. You will need to upload a copy of the employer's death certificate.

Transfer to another employer or a family member

The new employer needs to:

1. Submit an online Work Permit application.
2. Buy a new insurance package.

• MOM may request for a copy of the employer's death certificate during application or when getting the Work Permit issued.
• If the employer was 67 years old or above, the levy concession may end.

If your foreign domestic worker (FDW) has run away, she will become an overstayer once her Work Permit is cancelled. As an overstayer who is in breach of Singapore's immigration regulations, she can be fined, jailed or both before she is sent home.

Employers should ensure that their FDWs passports are valid for purpose of overseas travel, otherwise the FDW will not be able to leave Singapore.

You can buy plans from any insurer as long as it meets the compulsory minimum coverage requirements.

However, you are strongly encouraged to buy additional insurance coverage for greater protection against medical bills incurred by your FDW and peace of mind.

When buying medical insurance for your FDW, you should pay attention to the features of the plan, such as the exclusion clauses.

Training providers who apply to be accredited training providers (ATPs) and meet MOM criteria can be accredited ATPs for the foreign domestic worker Employers’ Orientation Programme. The criteria include the trainers’ experience and the ability to provide training facilities and materials according to MOM’s requirements.

All employers who wish to bring in foreign domestic workers (FDWs) are required to bear the full cost of employing them. This includes the cost of sending them home when the employment relationship ends.

Find out the steps you need to take when sending your FDW home.

Employers and foreign domestic workers (FDWs) are encouraged to discuss and agree on the terms and conditions of employment at the start of the employment relationship. This includes overseas leave arrangements, such as who pays for travel expenses.

If it is not stated in the employment contract, you can come to a mutual agreement with your FDW on who should pay. To minimise disputes, this agreement should be in writing.

Your helper's levy rate may change when there are:

• Changes in your levy concession eligibility.
• Changes in the number of helpers.

Changes in your levy concession eligibility

You qualify for levy concession when you hire a helper and stay with any of these family members:

• Child or grandchild below 16 years old.
• Aged family member who is at least 67 years old.
• Family member who needs help with at least one daily activity.

However, you stop qualifying for levy concession when the:

• Child or grandchild turns 16 years old.
• Person needing care (young child, aged or disabled family member) has passed away.
• Person needing care no longer stays with you.
• Person needing care is no longer a Singapore citizen.

You have 2 helpers, Mary and Jane.

You qualify for levy concession because your aged mother stays with you.

On 18 June 2019, your mother moves to another address. Thus, you no longer qualify for levy concession.

Your helpers' levy rates will change and the new rates take effect from 18 June 2019:

Changes in the number of helpers

This can happen due to many reasons (e.g. when you cancel your helper’s work permit, or decide to keep both helpers when one was meant as a replacement).

Your helper, Mary, is on the concessionary levy rate of $60 as you have a young child.

You then hire a new helper, Jane, to replace Mary. Because Jane is Mary’s replacement, her levy rate will be the same as Mary’s of $60.

However, later on you decide to keep both Mary and Jane. Since Jane is no longer replacing Mary, you will have 2 helpers instead of 1. Jane’s levy rate will be changed to $300 from the day her levy starts.

Unlike other workers, FDWs are excluded from the Workman Injury Compensation Act (WICA).

FDWs are employed by households and they work and live in the same premises, making it difficult to determine whether any injury sustained in the premises was due to work-related activities.

Thus, in lieu of WICA, FDW employers must buy personal accident insurance (PAI) for their FDWs.

The PAI provides compensation to the FDWs in the event of permanent disablement or death, regardless of whether or not the accident was work-related.

Employers are responsible for the cost of sending their FDWs home. This responsibility forms part of the conditions for granting a work permit and is made known to employers at the point of work permit application. This is to prevent a situation where the FDW, upon termination of her employment, is left stranded here with no other means to return home. 

A security bond is a binding pledge to pay the government (up to $5,000) if you break the security bond conditions. When your FDW is transferred to another employer, you are discharged from this liability.

If your family member wishes to take over the employment of the FDW from you, they need to take over this liability by purchasing a new bond. This applies even if the new employer is your family member, if you stay at the same address, or if you share the same bank account.