What Are The Employer Criteria For Hiring A Maid In Singapore?

As capable as you are in managing your household, there are times when you need extra help to lift some of the household burdens off your shoulder – especially when you have to devote your attention to your job.

Unless you have family members who are willing to help out with the cleaning, cooking and childcare, chances are you’ll look for help from a maid agency in Singapore like Homekeeper to hire a domestic helper.

This comes as no surprise with increasing affluence and dual-income parents, leaving the management of household chores and childcare in the hands of capable strangers – resulting in higher dependence on foreign domestic helpers.

As of June 2020, there are 252,600 foreign domestic workers in Singapore compared to a decade ago with about 201,000 foreign domestic workers. With a growing economy and demanding workload, hiring a maid is no longer a privilege but a necessity.

However, you’ll have to bear in mind that hiring a foreign domestic worker comes with numerous responsibilities, not to mention your qualification. Before you can hire a maid, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will determine whether you qualify as an employer of a foreign domestic worker.

Ahead, we’ll be sharing the criteria that aspiring employers like you need to meet before they can hire a maid.

Main eligibility

For you to qualify as an employer of a foreign domestic worker, you must be 21 years old and above; not facing any bankruptcy, and have the mental capacity to understand your responsibility as an employer.

It’s crucial to remember that you’ll be responsible for another person’s well-being while they’re working for you. That said, the ministry will consider your financial ability when you submit your application to hire. This is to ensure that you’re capable of providing and caring for your foreign domestic worker in an acceptable situation.

Besides, hiring a foreign domestic worker will require you to prepare their work permit before they enter Singapore. Which means you’ll have to be prepared to bear the cost of hiring a foreign maid.

First-time employer

If it’s your first time hiring a foreign domestic worker, you’ve come to the right place. Before you can apply to hire, you’re required to attend an Employer Orientation Programme (EOP). Bear in mind that you’ll have to attend the programme two working days before submitting the work permit application.

Why do you have to attend the programme? Well, the 3-hour orientation programme is to help you understand your role and responsibilities as an employer of a foreign domestic worker, especially if you’ve replaced your maid more than three times within 12 months.

Besides, you can either take the programme in the classroom or online. But you should attend the programme in person to have a better understanding of your role and responsibilities as an employer of a foreign domestic worker in Singapore.

You’ll also have to bear the cost of the programme, which ranges from $35 to $60 for the classroom EOP, while the online EOP costs $35.

If you’re suffering from a chronic medical condition; physically incapable of attending the programme in person; a new or expecting mother, you may appoint a representative or sponsor to attend on your behalf. Be sure to retain the documents for at least three months for audit purposes.

Hiring a second maid

If you need to hire another maid to help manage your caregiving needs, the MOM will consider your application given that you have two children below 18 years old or a parent/parent-in-law who is over 60 years old.

The ministry will also assess your application based on your financial ability to hire and care for your maid in an acceptable situation.

Minimum income needed to hire a maid

Although your household income or monthly salary is part of the criteria, there isn’t any exact amount set by the MOM. Your application will be assessed based on the following application:

• Combined Income – Married couples.
• Joint Income Scheme – Your income and other immediate family member’s combined.
• Sponsorship Scheme – Senior citizen, not earning an income, and not staying with any working adults.

This is to safeguard your potential maid’s well-being and upkeep while they’re working for you in Singapore.

Homekeeper can help with your household needs

If you’re looking to hire a foreign domestic helper within Singapore, Homekeeper has a database of domestic workers to choose from. You’ll be able to look through their biodata and key information of potential domestic helpers.

Additionally, we’ll process the necessary documents for you and your helper-to-be. We’ll then provide maid pre-employment training to ensure that your helper-to-be meets your household needs. Reach out to us by calling (65) 6468 5220 or email contactus@homekeeper.sg.