Avoid These 4 Mistakes While Hiring a Maid in Singapore

 Life is busy in Singapore. A majority of people are occupied balancing their professional and personal life. Some do not get time to take care of the household cleaning, cooking, maintenance, or even handling kids. Thus, getting professional domestic help is the ideal way to sort things up. But here few people make some mistakes while hiring domestic help.

Here we have the top 4 mistakes to avoid while hiring your maid.

#Mistake 1: Hiring a Maid in Singapore without Previous Customer’s Testimonials

• Sometimes you fail to read the reviews written by your maid’s previous employers.

• Fail to inquire anything about the maid related to her work experience and complaints, if had any.

#Mistake 2: Not Hiring a Maid in Singapore from an Agency

• Some people hire any nearby maid for domestic help with a view to save money on hiring agency.

• Compromise with the household service against the low fees charged by the nearby maid.

#Mistake 3: Not Interviewing the Maid

• Hiring without asking questions in an interview might causes you trouble at the household front.

• Some employers fail to check about personal background and previous employer’s experience of the maid.

#Mistake 4: Choosing a Maid Agency Outside Singapore 

• Did not hire the maid as per Ministry of Manpower (MOM) terms.

• Hired an unprofessional and unethical maid for saving money.

• With a view to avoid the documentation process, you hired a maid outside your territory at a low price.

Conclusion

Hiring domestic help is a matter of great responsibility. A maid should be a trustworthy person taking care of your home and children. So, avoid the common mistakes and hire according to prescribed terms and conditions.

Joint Income or Sponsorship Scheme: Who Can Apply for Work Permit for FDW

 Hiring a maid in Singapore is regulated by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). You have to meet certain criteria before hiring a foreign domestic worker (FDW). One of the most important factors that MOM takes into consideration when deciding if you can hire a helper is an income. If you are an earning individual and have the mental capacity to discharge your responsibility as an employer, you can easily hire a helper with the help of the best maid agency in Singapore. But if you do not fit the salary requirement set by MOM or you are a senior citizen, MOM offers two schemes under which you can apply for a work permit for an FDW. Let’s check out details about the Joint Income and Sponsorship Scheme in this blog.

Minimum Salary Requirement for Hiring a Maid

MOM has set a minimum salary requirement for hiring a domestic helper based on the overall cost that you need to spend if you employ one, such as providing worker's salary, levy charges, insurance policy, food, accommodation, and other expenses. MOM assesses applications based on the salary, so married couples can combine their income and mention it in the work permit application. There are two special schemes that you can take advantage of in case you don’t meet the salary criteria of MOM.

Joint Scheme - What Is It?

Under this scheme, one can combine his or her income with an immediate family member, who is not his or her spouse. The family member could be a sibling, relative, parent or child, but he or she must live at the same address. If you’re applying for an FDW work permit, you must be receiving a higher salary under this scheme. You should also meet the following criteria:

• Be a permanent resident of Singapore

• Be 21 years old and above.

• Not declared as an undischarged bankrupt

• Have the ability to discharge your responsibility as an employer

Sponsorship Scheme - What Is It?

This scheme is perfect if you are a senior citizen, not earning any income, and not staying with any working adult. You can find sponsors who can help you apply for a work permit under the Sponsorship Scheme. These sponsors could be your children or children’s spouse, your grandchildren or grandchildren’s spouse, or your siblings. The income will be assessed by MOM based on the income of up to two sponsors. You should also meet the following criteria:

• Be a permanent resident of Singapore

• Be 60 years old and above.

• Not declared as an undischarged bankrupt

• Have the ability o discharge your responsibility as an employer

Conclusion

If you meet all the requirements set by MOM, hiring a maid in Singapore becomes easy by hiring the best maid agency. If you think your income doesn’t match the criteria, you can combine your earnings with your spouse or apply for the Joint Scheme. If you’re a senior citizen and have sponsors available, you can apply under the Sponsorship Scheme while applying for a work permit for an FDW.

Hiring a Maid in Singapore: Jobs That You Can Ask Her To Do

Singapore is a country that offers a high level of employment to foreign domestic workers. There are many families where both partners work and they need an extra hand to help them with their daily chores or take care of children. Hiring a maid in Singapore is the best option if you and your spouse are working professionals and don’t have enough time to take care of your house. If you’re hiring a domestic helper for the first, work with the best maid agency to know the employment laws and rules and regulations you need to follow as an employer. Check out below to know the jobs a maid can do at your home.

Employment laws for hiring a maid

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has introduced the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) that sets the conditions for employing a maid in Singapore, employer’s responsibilities and obligations, maid salary, rest day entitlement, upkeep and maintenance costs, insurance coverage, medical treatment as well as the scope of maids’ duties.

Understanding the scope of maid’s duties

• A maid is allowed to work at the address mentioned in her Work Permit. She is not allowed to work at any other location or for any other person.

• As an employer, you should not allow your maid to work part-time for anyone. You will be held responsible if your helper is found to be involved in part-time work. Employers are penalised or barred from future applications for a domestic maid.

• A maid can only do household work and take care of your children or elderly parents. She can do cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, grocery shopping, and taking care of children, elderly parents or pets.

• FDWs are not allowed to perform car washing, gardening, tutoring kids, and repairing work.

• Employers must not engage maids in their business. Helpers can only work at your house and do your household chores.

• Employers should provide training and enroll their maids in cooking, medical training, or similar classes if they want her to improve her skills.

• An employer must work with the best maid agency to prepare an employment contract that mentions the duties a maid is responsible for. The contract should also mention her salary, rest days, notice period, and other details.

Conclusion

Hiring a maid in Singapore is the perfect solution for saving yourself some time from tiring household duties. Understanding the scope of a maid’s duties and your responsibilities as an employer will help you create a better relationship with your helper. You must foster two-way communication to understand the needs of your maid and provide her a safe working condition.

Hiring Maid for the First Time? The Ultimate Guide to Selecting the Best Maid Agency in Singapore

A statistical study shows that one in every eight Singaporean households have a domestic helper. Though it sounds easy hiring a maid in Singapore, it is difficult to choose a trustworthy maid agency in Singapore as there are hundreds of them out there. Below are a few points to consider when choosing the best maid agency in Singapore.

• Shortlist maid agencies:  Check out for the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) directory for a list of licensed agencies.

• Choose the right maid agency: Check out for the following points on the MOM website.

1. License: Because you don’t want to hire an agency involved in illegal activities.

2. Demerit points: Because you don’t want to hire an agency that falls out of the Employment Agency act.

3. CASE accreditation: Because you want to hire someone with fair trading and transparency with their customers.

4. Retention rate: Because, higher the rate of helpers working with the same employer for a year or more, the better.

5. Transfer rate: Because, lower the percentage of all the maids who have been moved more than 2 times from one employer to another within one year, the better.

6. Customer ratings: Customer ratings in MOM will also help you.

• Things to check out for before deciding on the maid agency:

1. Post-dated cheque: Check with the chosen agency if they allow post-dated cheque so that you can cancel them at any point if you do not want to continue with them.

2. Agreement:  Read the agreement thoroughly to ensure there is no hidden clause or phrase. Make sure your agreement covers free replacement of maid if the need arises and it mentions the timeline for the arrival of your maid.

3. Maid application procedure:  Make sure your agency guides you through the maid application procedure.

Remember the above list is not exclusive but few important points to check before hiring the best maid agency in Singapore for you. With the above checklist, it would be easier for you to choose the best. The best agency helps you in hiring a maid in Singapore that suits your household.