We've put together the ultimate guide on everything you need about hiring a MDW in Singapore without an agency
Hiring a helper in Singapore can be an absolute blessing when it comes to juggling our careers as a working mom, kids, running a household, and trying to keep up with the life admin. While initially hesitant, I changed my mind after welcoming a new kid into my family. Why? Because I quickly realised spending quality time with each kid individually while managing a household is really tough. And if having a helper means I could ‘outsource’ chores to have extra time with kids, then I’m all for it.
But how do you go about finding the perfect extra pair of hands? My colleagues and I came up with this guide, listing all the steps you need to take to employ a helper, tips on how to find the right lady for the job, and some all-important interview questions…
Employer requirements for hiring a helper
Before you go about employing your first MDW (Migrant Domestic Worker, formerly ‘FDW’), you need to check the current criteria as stated by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). In a nutshell, you’ll need to be:
- At least 21 years old
- Have no undischarged bankrupt proceedings against you
- Have the mental capacity to fully understand and discharge your responsibility as an employer
If you’re hiring a helper for the first time, you must also attend an Employer Orientation Programme. This is an easy-peasy online ‘exam’ to ensure that you know how to care for your helper’s wellbeing.
The paperwork needed for hiring a helper
If you use an employment agency to process the paperwork necessary to legally employ a helper, they’ll handle all the paperwork on your behalf. Phew. However, hiring directly is also an option and often saves you some money in the process. Once you’ve agreed on the working terms with your new helper (days off, work expectations, pay, etc.), you’ll need to sort out the following:
1. Apply for her work permit from MOM. This can be done online (you’ll need SingPass). It costs $35 for the application and another $35 for the issuance.
2. Buy a $5,000 security bond if your helper is a non-Malaysian (you can buy from any bank or insurance company). Once purchased, this will be registered automatically with MOM.
3. Purchase personal accident insurance and medical insurance of at least $60,000 per year each. The more cover you can afford, the better – as an employer, you are liable for any medical expenses. The bond and the insurance are often sold as one package. Expect to part with around $300+ for two years’ cover.
4. Send your helper for the Settling in Programme. If your helper is a first-time helper, or has never worked in Singapore as a helper before, she’ll need to attend this one-day orientation programme within seven days of her arrival in Singapore (excluding Sunday and public holidays). It’s a helpful programme which covers adapting to working and living in Singapore, conditions of employment, how to work safely, as well as relationship and stress management. The cost is $76.40, borne by the employer (you).
5. Send her for a medical exam. This needs to be done within 14 days of her employment with you. The types of tests required are standardised across the board by MOM, and are listed in the examination form that the clinic will submit to MOM on your behalf.
6. Set up your monthly GIRO to cover your helper’s monthly levy. Current charges are $60 concessionary rate (for Singaporean families with a child, elderly person aged 67 and above, or person with disabilities living in your household), or $300 for first helper and $450 for subsequent helpers.
7. Set up a local bank account for your helper if she doesn’t have one. This is so that you can pay her salary easily by monthly transfer.
Hiring a helper: important interview questions to ask
Think of it as a job interview with a more ‘personal’ touch. After all, you’re hiring someone who will be living in your family’s personal space. As such, you’re not just looking for someone who can do the job; you’re also looking for someone who aligns with your family’s values to a great extent. So you’ll want to tailor your questions, or even interview approach, according to your needs and values.
For example: my spouse and I approached our helper interviews like peer interviews, just like how we would interview a potential colleague or team member. We view our helper as a fellow partner in managing the household, preferably with a set of strengths in areas that we’re lacking, like cooking.
Here are some common questions to get you started.
1. Transfer and work history: If your helper-to-be is leaving a contract early, find out why. Even if she is transferring from a completed contract, it pays to check her reasons for moving on. Investigate thoroughly and check for yourself via references.
2. Religion: Often helpers from Indonesia are Muslim and as such, are unable to handle or eat pork or interact with the family pets. Equally, many helpers do not live by strict religious codes, but you should still check what personal boundaries she may have when it comes to what she can and can’t do/eat/touch because of religious or personal restrictions.
3. Her future plans: It’s likely your helper is working here to help out family back home and probably intends to return one day to her home country. Her plans may have relevance to how long she stays with you, but also, by knowing her aspirations, you can help support her towards her goals. We love a woman with a plan!
4. Children: If childcare is something your helper will be involved in, you need to make sure she likes small people! If your potential helper is a fan of kids, then check what kind of playmate and carer she might be to your children. Has she had experience with babies? Or the equally challenging teens? Find out what games she likes to play, what nursery rhymes she knows, and what are the typical kind of meals she would prepare for your child would be. Which also leads us to…
5. First aid: With young kids in the house, it’s essential your potential helper knows some basic first aid. Check whether she has taken any first aid courses, and if not would she be happy to go on one? Give her simple first-aid scenarios to respond to (one of our writers asked a helper what she would do if our toddler bumped his head, and she said she would make him a sandwich: there was no follow-up interview or check after that).
6. Her daily routine: Engage her in a chat about how she spends a typical day in her current job. Suggest some tasks she would be expected to do within your household and get her to rank them. If, like me, you’re looking for a Nigella in the kitchen but she’d rather stick to the cleaning, the fit isn’t going to be great for either of you.
7. Cooking: Check her culinary skills and ask her to name 10 dishes she is confident in cooking. Having said so, this may not be a dealbreaker for most. Among the ladies I interviewed, the one I ended up hiring was the one who had the least dishes in her repertoire. Upon checking, we found out this was because she’s used to cooking simple dishes that are common in her hometown, most of which she doesn’t know the English names to. She also mentioned that she’s open and eager to learn new recipes, which suited me and my ever-growing list of to-try recipes that I never got to due to time constraints.
8. Pets: If you have furry (or slithery) creatures in your home (the kids don’t count), then check whether she has cared for pets before. Also, make sure she is happy to hang out with your fur kids.
9. Days off: All helpers are entitled to one rest day per week, and she should be compensated with a day’s salary should she agree to work on her rest day. Some helpers may opt of the latter to boost their income. Ask if your potential helper would like to follow the standard work arrangement; or if she prefers to work for some weekends.
10. Marketing (aka grocery shopping): How does she feel about doing the marketing, and which supermarkets in Singapore is she familiar with? Is she used to budgeting and making grocery decisions by herself, or does she require guidance?
11. Food: What does she like to eat? Does she prefer her own food, or will she be happy to eat whatever you guys are eating? Is she allergic to any food? Are there foods she is unwilling to handle? Food can be a huge minefield if you end up with a helper who only eats meat while your family is strictly vegetarian!
12. Drinking/smoking: Encourage honesty and ask her if she drinks alcohol and/or smokes. You may have strong views, and if she does partake in the odd beer and like a cigarette with her friends on her rest days, this may not be a deal-breaker for you. However, if she lies about it then that can cause issues later down the line.
Our tips for finding the right helper for your family
As a team of working mums, we here at HoneyKids’ HQ are all blessed with amazing right-hand women who help the juggle of life that bit easier. Our tips for finding someone who’ll be the right fit?
1. Have your kids nearby.
The domestic helpers who try and make a connection with your child are the ones to put at the top of your hire list. Believe it or not, there was instant connection between my oldest kid and our helper and that was all the confirmation I need!
2. DON’T listen to all the horror stories when hiring a helper in Singapore.
For every ‘my maid tried on my bikini’ stories, there are many, many more successful relationships too.
3. Keep your ear to the ground for recommendations.
The Facebook online groups often have details of fabulous helpers looking for new employment.
Good luck with your search!
