Singapore's Trusted Maid Agency for Over 41 Years

Any Singapore citizen, permanent resident, or valid work pass holder aged 21 or above can hire a domestic helper, provided they are not an undischarged bankrupt and have the financial capacity to support a helper. You must demonstrate genuine caregiving needs (young children, elderly family members, or household management). There is no published minimum income, but MOM assesses your ability to pay the helper's salary, monthly levy, insurance, and living costs.

Yes. Employment Pass, S Pass, and Dependent Pass holders can hire a domestic helper, subject to the same eligibility criteria as citizens and PRs. Your pass must be valid for the duration of the helper's work permit. If your pass expires or is cancelled, the helper's work permit is also cancelled and she must be repatriated.

Helpers must be female, aged 23-50 for first-time foreign domestic workers, from an MOM-approved country (Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, and others), with at least 8 years of formal education. They must pass a medical examination within 14 days of arrival and every 6 months thereafter.

Yes. First-time employers must complete the Employer Orientation Programme (EOP), a 3-hour course covering legal responsibilities, employment regulations, and communication strategies. EOP is available online for S$35 or in a classroom for S$35-60. You must complete EOP at least 2 working days before submitting a work permit application.

Yes, but only if you have a chronic medical condition, physical disability, are aged 60 or above with physical discomfort, or are a new or expectant mother. Your representative must be over 21 and have prior EOP attendance or domestic helper employment experience.

The total first-year cost of hiring a domestic helper in Singapore in 2026 is approximately S$14,000-17,500 for a new overseas hire, depending on nationality and salary. This includes the agency placement package (S$2,800-3,800 depending on nationality), monthly levy (S$300 standard or S$60 concessionary), insurance (S$500-700/year), medical examinations (~S$100-160/year), and the helper's monthly salary (S$500-800/month).

The monthly foreign domestic worker levy is S$300/month (standard rate) or S$60/month (concessionary rate). The levy is paid by GIRO to MOM monthly. Before GIRO is set up, you can pay online through the MOM website, but a GIRO application is compulsory.

You qualify for the concessionary levy of S$60/month (saving S$2,880/year compared to the standard S$300/month) if your household includes a Singaporean child aged below 16, a Singaporean elderly person aged 67 or above, or a person with disabilities — all living at the same registered address. The concessionary rate applies to the first helper only; a second helper is charged at the standard rate.

No, you do not need to pay S$5,000 cash. The security bond is a S$5,000 guarantee to MOM that you will comply with employment conditions and repatriate your helper when her permit expires. In practice, almost all employers purchase a security bond insurance policy (typically S$50-80/year), which provides a Letter of Guarantee to MOM on your behalf. This is included in Ming Hwee's placement package.

You need two types of insurance, typically bundled into a single policy: Medical insurance with minimum coverage of S$15,000/year for hospitalisation and day surgery, and Personal accident insurance with minimum coverage of S$60,000/year for death or permanent disability. A combined 14-month policy costs S$280-350; a 26-month policy costs S$400-520 and offers better value. Ming Hwee arranges this as part of your placement package.

There is no government-mandated minimum wage for domestic helpers in Singapore, but the helper's home country embassy sets recommended minimums. As of 2026: Filipino helpers start at S$570-650/month (experienced: S$700-850+); Indonesian helpers start at S$550-600/month (experienced: S$650-750+); Myanmar helpers start at S$450-550/month (experienced: S$580-700+). Salary depends on experience, job scope, language ability, and whether she is a new hire or experienced transfer.

Your ongoing monthly costs include: helper salary (S$450-850 depending on nationality and experience), monthly levy (S$300 or S$60 concessionary), food and toiletries (S$200-350/month typical), and any rest-day compensation if she works on her off day (one day's salary per rest day worked). Total ongoing monthly cost: approximately S$950-1,500.

From signing with Ming Hwee to your helper's first day: 3-4 weeks for a transfer helper already in Singapore, and 6-8 weeks for an overseas hire. The process includes EOP completion (if first-time employer), candidate shortlisting and interviews, work permit application (1-3 weeks MOM processing), pre-arrival preparation, and post-arrival compliance (SIP attendance and medical exam within 7-14 days).

A transfer maid is already in Singapore working for another employer and is being released to a new employer. A new hire comes directly from her home country. Transfer maids are faster to place (2-3 weeks vs. 6-8 weeks), can be interviewed in person, and are already familiar with Singapore. However, you should ask why she is transferring. New hires from overseas are freshly trained and have no previous employer baggage, but require a longer settling-in period.

Your free 30-minute consultation covers three things: (1) we assess your household needs including family composition, caregiving requirements, language preferences, and budget; (2) we recommend the best nationality and placement type for your situation; (3) within 48 hours of your consultation, you receive 3-5 curated candidate profiles matched to your specific needs. There is no obligation to proceed.

Ming Hwee arranges video interviews via WhatsApp for overseas candidates and in-person or video interviews for transfer helpers. We recommend asking about: her experience with children or elderly care, cooking abilities, language comfort, her reasons for leaving her previous employer, and her expectations for rest days and salary. We provide an interview guide to help first-time employers ask the right questions.

The SIP is a mandatory 1-day orientation for first-time helpers arriving in Singapore. It must be completed within 7 days of arrival (excluding Sundays and public holidays). The SIP costs S$76-93 (paid by the employer) and covers safety in high-rise buildings, cultural adaptation, employment rights, and stress management. Your helper cannot begin work until SIP is completed.

If your helper is not the right fit or leaves employment within the guarantee period, Ming Hwee provides a replacement at no additional agency service fee. Government and third-party costs (insurance, work permit, SIP for the new helper) may still apply as these are non-refundable external charges. Contact us for the specific terms and guarantee period applicable to your placement type.

If your helper requests early termination, she must provide the agreed notice period (typically 1 month or as stated in the contract). You can either repatriate her or, with mutual consent, allow her to transfer to a new employer. Contact Ming Hwee immediately — we handle the transfer process, MOM documentation, and help you find a replacement.

Start with clear, direct communication. Explain the specific areas she needs to improve and demonstrate how you want things done. Many performance issues resolve with proper orientation and patience, especially in the first 2-4 weeks. If performance does not improve despite guidance, contact Ming Hwee. Our team provides mediation and, if necessary, initiates the replacement process under your guarantee terms.

Report to the police and MOM within 24 hours, then contact Ming Hwee immediately. Prompt reporting protects you legally and is required to prevent forfeiture of your S$5,000 security bond. If your helper is found leaving Singapore through a legal immigration checkpoint, your security bond will not be forfeited.

Inform MOM immediately. Under current regulations, the helper's work permit will be revoked and she must be repatriated. This applies regardless of how the pregnancy occurred. Ming Hwee guides you through the termination procedures, MOM reporting, repatriation, and finding a replacement.

Yes. You may terminate the employment at any time with proper notice (typically 1 month or salary in lieu of notice). You must cancel the work permit within 7 days of her departure, arrange repatriation or transfer, and settle all outstanding salary. Contact Ming Hwee before taking action — we ensure compliance and manage the transition.

Your helper is entitled to at least one rest day per week. This is a legal requirement under MOM regulations. The specific day (e.g. Sunday) is agreed between employer and helper in the employment contract.

Yes, but only with her written consent and she must be compensated at least one day's salary for each rest day worked. For example, if her monthly salary is S$600, one day's pay is S$600 / 26 = approximately S$23. The compensation must be paid in addition to her regular monthly salary. MOM strongly encourages employers to grant rest days rather than compensate them.

MOM requires that your helper has adequate sleeping accommodation with a reasonable degree of privacy. She must have her own bed (not a mattress on the floor in a common area) and access to a bathroom. A separate room is not legally required, but she must have a private sleeping space. MOM may inspect your accommodation before approving the work permit.

You must provide your helper with adequate food. Most employers include the helper in family meals. Alternatively, you can provide a food allowance if both parties agree — the typical range is S$200-300/month. The arrangement should be stated in the employment contract. She must have access to three meals a day plus snacks.

Pay your helper's salary by the 7th of the following month. You can pay by bank transfer or cash. MOM strongly recommends bank transfer for a clear payment record. If paying cash, have your helper sign a receipt each month. Keep all salary records for at least 2 years.

Yes. There is no regulation preventing helpers from owning or using mobile phones. However, it is reasonable to agree on phone usage rules during working hours. Many employers provide a basic phone or SIM card, or allow the helper to purchase her own. Communication with her family back home is important for her wellbeing and your long-term retention.

It depends on your household's priorities. Filipino helpers speak fluent English from day one, have mandatory TESDA certification, and are best for families prioritising communication and professional training (salary: S$570-850/month, timeline: 4-8 weeks). Indonesian helpers share strong Southeast Asian cultural compatibility, have a Malay-Bahasa language bridge, and are the most popular choice in Singapore (salary: S$550-750/month, timeline: 3-6 weeks). Myanmar helpers offer the fastest placement (2-3 weeks), some have basic Mandarin, and they are the most affordable starting option (salary: S$450-700/month) but typically need 2-4 months to settle in. Not sure? Book a consultation and we will recommend based on your specific needs.

Hire a transfer maid if you need someone quickly (2-3 weeks), want to interview in person, and value Singapore experience. Hire from overseas if you prefer a freshly trained helper, want more candidates to choose from, and can wait 6-8 weeks. Transfer maids cost less in agency fees but may command higher salaries due to local experience.

Focus on five things: (1) relevant experience matching your primary need (childcare, eldercare, or general housework); (2) language ability appropriate for your household; (3) cooking skills and willingness to learn your family's cuisine; (4) temperament and communication style; (5) her own expectations for salary, rest days, and workload. A good match is about fit, not just qualifications.

A domestic helper work permit is valid for 2 years from the date of issuance. It must be renewed before expiry if you wish to continue the employment. Ming Hwee recommends starting the renewal process at least 60 days before expiry.

To renew, you need an updated employment contract, current insurance coverage, a recent medical examination, and a renewal application submitted through MOM's e-Service portal. Ming Hwee handles the entire process. Total time on your end: less than 1 hour over 4 weeks.

MOM requires your helper to undergo a medical examination every 6 months. The exam screens for pregnancy and infectious diseases including HIV, syphilis, and tuberculosis. It costs approximately S$50-80 per examination at most GP clinics and polyclinics. You will receive a notification letter from MOM when the exam is due. If your helper fails the medical examination, her work permit will be revoked and she must be repatriated.

If the work permit expires without renewal, your helper is working illegally. This exposes both you and your helper to legal penalties from MOM. Contact Ming Hwee immediately if your helper's work permit expires within 30 days — we can expedite the renewal or arrange a proper transition.

No. Your helper is only permitted to work for the employer listed on her work permit, at the registered residential address. She cannot perform work for other households, do freelance work, or engage in any form of outside employment. Violation is a serious offence under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act and can result in fines, imprisonment, and permanent disqualification from hiring helpers.

Home leave is not compulsory under MOM regulations. However, the Philippine and Indonesian embassies strongly encourage helpers to return home between contracts. Home leave is typically arranged between two-year contract periods and the terms should be agreed in the employment contract. Granting home leave is strongly associated with higher helper retention.

The employer pays for the helper's return flight at the end of the contract (repatriation). For mid-contract home leave, the arrangement should be agreed in the employment contract. Common practice: employer pays the return flight; helper pays if it is additional leave beyond what is agreed. Flight costs vary: Philippines S$300-500, Indonesia S$200-400, Myanmar S$250-450.

Yes, but your helper must have a valid travel document (passport) and may need a visa depending on the destination country. You remain legally responsible for her during overseas travel. Inform MOM if the trip extends beyond 2 weeks.

Contact Ming Hwee to initiate the transfer process. We handle employer matching from our pre-screened family network, MOM documentation, and coordinated interviews. Until a new work permit is issued to another employer, you remain legally responsible for your helper — levies, insurance, and accommodation costs continue. The transfer process typically takes 2-4 weeks.

Yes, but you must give written consent for the transfer. Without your consent, she cannot be employed by a new employer in Singapore. Providing consent is strongly encouraged by MOM — withholding consent without valid reason can raise compliance concerns.

You cannot compel your helper to continue working for you. If she wishes to transfer, discuss her concerns — the issue may be resolvable (salary adjustment, rest day arrangement, workload). If she is firm, cooperate with the transfer process. Attempting to retain an unwilling helper typically results in poor performance and eventual departure anyway.

Ming Hwee Employment Agency has been operating continuously since 1985. We are one of Singapore's longest-established domestic helper placement agencies. The agency is a second-generation family business, MOM-licensed, and specialises in Filipino, Indonesian, and Myanmar helper placements.

Ming Hwee's MOM Employment Agency Licence Number is 12C6072. You can verify our licence on the MOM website.

Three things: (1) We personally interview every candidate before she appears on your shortlist — we present 3-5 curated candidates per family, not a database of hundreds; (2) We provide structured post-placement support with check-ins after deployment; (3) We handle the full lifecycle of your helper's employment from hiring through renewal, home leave, and transfer. We have been doing this for 41 years as a family business.

Yes. Ming Hwee operates our own office in the Philippines for direct candidate screening and interviews. This has been our practice since 1991. It is not standard in the industry, but it allows us to assess candidates in person rather than relying solely on partner agency reports.

Ming Hwee provides structured post-placement check-ins after deployment. For the full duration of the employment contract, our team handles renewals, transfers, disputes, home leave, and any issue that arises. We are reachable during business hours via WhatsApp, phone, or email. You have one agency for everything — end to end.

Start by booking a free, no-obligation consultation with Ming Hwee. In 30 minutes, we will assess your household needs, recommend the right nationality and placement type, and explain every cost and step. Within 48 hours, you receive 3-5 matched candidate profiles. The entire process from first consultation to your helper's first day takes 3-8 weeks depending on whether you hire a transfer helper or from overseas.

The five most common mistakes are: (1) not setting clear expectations from day one (house rules, daily schedule, duties); (2) not giving the helper enough time to settle in (expect 2-4 weeks minimum adjustment); (3) not communicating directly when something is wrong; (4) comparing helpers to friends' helpers; (5) not planning for the total cost including levy, food, and rest day compensation beyond just the salary.

Prepare a clean sleeping area with privacy, a bed, storage space for her belongings, and access to a bathroom. Stock basic toiletries and consider her dietary needs. Write a simple daily schedule covering wake-up time, meals, cleaning tasks, childcare or eldercare duties, and rest time. A warm, clear welcome on day one sets the tone for the entire employment.

The MOM-standard employment contract must include: agreed monthly salary, rest day arrangements (at least 1 per week), duties and scope of work, notice period for termination (typically 1 month), accommodation arrangement, food arrangement, and provisions for medical leave and medical costs. Ming Hwee prepares the contract for you.

Yes. If you have multiple dependents or extensive caregiving needs, you may apply to hire a second helper. MOM approves this on a case-by-case basis. The second helper attracts the standard levy rate (S$300/month) even if you qualify for the concessionary rate on the first helper.