Disagreements between employers and workers are common in any industry, and domestic work is no exception. Given the challenges that come with hiring a foreign domestic worker, disputes can be difficult to handle, particularly since they can also involve employment agencies. While domestic work is not regulated under Singapore’s Employment Act, there are legal avenues that one can follow if a dispute cannot be resolved at home. Full-time domestic helpers come from ...
Read MoreFrom 1 January 2019, employers of foreign domestic workers (FDW) in Singapore are no longer allowed to safe keep any money belonging to their maid including the salary in order to protect both parties from money-related disputes. Therefore, opening a bank account for your maid will be one of the best ways for both you and the maid to manage her money. Benefits of maids having a bank account Avoiding salary-related disputes Employers ...
Read MoreHiring a foreign domestic worker is usually what families do when they need someone to help with caregiving and domestic work. As of today, there are around 250,000 maids working in Singapore. Only about one-third of them finish two years of their contract. In view of this, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) feels the need to support employers in their hiring of maids, since early termination of contracts is expensive ...
Read MoreAs with any profession, ensuring a safe working environment is of the utmost importance when employing a domestic helper. The safety and wellbeing of maids is the responsibility of their employers, who ultimately have to cover costs associated with medical care and insurance. The Ministry of Manpower provides easily-accessible guidelines on domestic helper employment, which include rules and recommendations on workplace safety. This issue should be discussed with your helper during ...
Read MoreHiring a foreign domestic worker (FDW) is often thought to be the only solution to get extra hands to help around in the household. While FDWs play an extremely valuable role in many Singaporean and expat households – particularly by making it possible for breadwinners to strike a balance between their career and their personal life – they are hardly the only option. Hiring a FDW should not be taken lightly. ...
Read MoreDespite progress, including greater awareness of the rights of domestic helpers, maids are sometimes poorly treated in Singapore and other parts of Asia. Since this worker group remains vulnerable to exploitation, the government of Singapore says it imposes severe penalties on those who abuse foreign maids. Employers should be aware of helpers’ rights, and discuss these during on-the-job orientation and training, and ensure that expected duties remain legal and ethical. Unfortunately, ...
Read MoreSingapore’s weather can be awfully hot and humid and the idea of going out under such extreme temperatures can be daunting for many of us. Worry not – we have compiled a list of ideas of cool spots for you to hit during the summer and beat the heat: Go hiking along the Southern Ridges up until the Labrador Nature Reserve. You’ll get to appreciate the stunning view and catch ...
Read MoreMany families in Singapore hire full-time foreign domestic workers to assist with daily cleaning and care duties. However, for many families – particularly those without children – part-time help is enough. In both cases, there may be some initial challenges to overcome. Meanwhile, there are a few regulations regarding part-time maid work that employers need to be aware of. Can I hire a part-time foreign domestic worker in Singapore? Employers can only ...
Read MoreMany employers in Singapore are looking forward to upskilling their maids, especially when it comes to improving their cooking skills. Cookbooks do wonders, there is no doubt about it. But it is needless to say that nothing beats actual cooking classes – especially when an experienced professional shows you the (right) way. The benefits of registering your helper in cooking classes The benefits as an employer Not every domestic worker is a good ...
Read MoreThe Singapore Night Festival is back this year for its tenth edition in Bras Basah-Bugis district between August 18 and 26. To celebrate this big milestone, various local and international artists – and many surprises – will be part of one of the much-awaited festivals in Asia. This music and lights festival is a must-live experience – you should absolutely take our word for it! - so, we recommend that ...
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