Hiring a foreign domestic worker in Singapore involves more than finding the right person and agreeing on a salary. It also means taking on a set of legal responsibilities as an employer, governed by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). These responsibilities exist to protect both employers and domestic workers, and understanding them before your helper starts work puts you in a much stronger position.
Failing to meet these obligations can result in penalties, Work Permit cancellation, and in serious cases, prosecution. The good news is that most of the requirements are straightforward once you know what they are.
This article covers five of the most important MOM regulations for domestic helpers in Singapore that every employer should understand before the placement begins.
1. Your Helper is Entitled to a Rest Day Every Week
Under MOM's regulations, all foreign domestic workers in Singapore are entitled to at least one rest day per week. This has been a legal requirement since 2013, and it applies to all FDWs regardless of their nationality, the size of your household, or the nature of their duties.
The rest day must be a full day off, meaning 24 consecutive hours during which the helper is not required to work. Employers and helpers can mutually agree on which day of the week serves as the rest day, and the day can vary from week to week if both parties agree. What is not permitted is simply skipping the rest day altogether, or consistently reassigning it to later without the helper's consent.
If an employer and a foreign domestic worker mutually agree to compensate a rest day in lieu of a day off (meaning the helper works on her rest day), the employer is required to pay additional compensation. The terms of this arrangement must be agreed upon in advance and must be documented.
Many families working with a licensed maid agency discuss rest day arrangements as part of the placement briefing. Getting clear on expectations from the start prevents misunderstandings later.
2. You are Responsible for Your Helper's Medical Care
As a foreign domestic worker's employer in Singapore, you are legally required to ensure she receives medical treatment when she needs it. This obligation exists from the moment she begins work under your employment.
MOM requires all employers to purchase and maintain medical insurance covering at least $15,000 per year for their helper's hospitalisation and surgical expenses. You are also required to purchase a personal accident insurance policy with a minimum coverage of $60,000. These insurance requirements are part of the standard Work Permit conditions and are typically arranged as part of the placement process when you hire through a full-service maid agency.
Beyond the insurance obligations, you are also responsible for paying for your helper's outpatient medical visits, which are not covered by the mandatory insurance policies. This includes general practitioner visits, dental care, and routine medication. Many families set aside a monthly allowance specifically for this purpose.
Neglecting a helper's medical needs is taken seriously by MOM. If a helper falls ill or is injured and the employer fails to provide appropriate care, the consequences can extend to Work Permit cancellation and legal action.
3. You Must Provide Adequate Accommodation and Food
MOM regulations require employers to provide their foreign domestic worker with adequate accommodation and sufficient food. These are basic conditions of employment and are non-negotiable.
For accommodation, your helper should have a private space within the home that provides sufficient privacy and ventilation. The space does not need to be large, but it must meet a reasonable standard of comfort. Requiring a helper to sleep in a kitchen, bathroom, or inadequately ventilated area is not acceptable under MOM's guidelines.
For food, employers are required to provide three meals a day, or an appropriate food allowance if the helper prefers to arrange her own meals. The meals should be sufficient in quantity and nutritionally adequate. Cultural and dietary preferences should be taken into account where possible.
Families hiring through Femme5 receive detailed guidance on accommodation and meal arrangements as part of the onboarding process. If you are unsure whether your home setup meets the required standard, our team can walk you through what MOM expects.
If your helper needs temporary accommodation during the transition period before moving into your home, Femme5's boarding house provides a comfortable and well-equipped option with meals, personal space, and all essential facilities.
4. You Cannot Deploy Your Helper Outside Your Household
A foreign domestic worker in Singapore is issued a Work Permit that specifies her employer and the household address. This means you cannot send your helper to work for another family, assist relatives in their home, or perform work at any address other than your own registered household.
This restriction exists to protect domestic workers from exploitation, and MOM enforces it seriously. Employers who allow their helpers to work for third parties, even informally and even if the helper is willing, are in breach of the Work Permit conditions. Penalties can include fines, the cancellation of the helper's Work Permit, and a ban on the employer from hiring FDWs in the future.
If you have family members who also need domestic help, the correct approach is for those family members to engage a separate FDW through their own employment arrangement. Your maid agency can assist with coordinating placements for multiple households if needed.
There is one specific exception to this restriction: employers may request formal approval from MOM to allow their helper to work at a different address within certain defined circumstances. This requires an official application and is not assumed.
5. You Must Give Your Helper the Settling-In Programme and Orientation
Before a foreign domestic worker can begin employment in Singapore for the first time, she is required by MOM to complete a Settling-In Programme (SIP). This is a one-day orientation that covers topics including safety awareness, understanding employment rights and obligations, and navigating life in Singapore. The SIP is conducted by accredited trainers and typically takes place at a training centre.
As an employer, you are responsible for ensuring your helper completes the SIP before she starts work. For first-time FDWs, this is arranged as part of the Work Permit application process. Your licensed maid agency handles the registration and scheduling, but you should be aware of this requirement so you can plan the start date accordingly.
In addition to the SIP, MOM also requires all employers of new FDWs to complete an online Employer Orientation Programme (EOP). This programme covers your responsibilities as an employer and takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete. You can access it through the MOM website directly.
According to MOM's guidelines, completing the EOP is a condition of the Work Permit application. Employers who have not completed it will find their application cannot proceed.
What Happens If You Do Not Meet These Obligations?
MOM takes employer obligations seriously, and there are real consequences for non-compliance. These range from fines and warnings for minor infractions to criminal charges for serious violations such as physical abuse, deliberate withholding of wages, or deploying a helper outside the permitted household.
Employers who have their Work Permit privileges suspended or cancelled are typically banned from hiring FDWs for a defined period. In cases of serious neglect or abuse, the consequences extend well beyond administrative penalties.
The regulations exist for good reason. Domestic workers in Singapore are in a position of significant vulnerability, living in their employer's home and depending on them for their basic needs. Employers who understand and meet their obligations build better, more stable working relationships, and have far fewer disputes or problems over the course of the engagement.
Starting the Placement on the Right Footing
Understanding MOM's key regulations for domestic helpers in Singapore is not just about staying on the right side of the law. It is about setting up a working relationship that is fair, clear, and built on mutual respect. Helpers who are treated well, given adequate rest, proper accommodation, and genuine care when they are unwell, are consistently the helpers who stay, who perform well, and who become genuine and valued members of a household.
At Femme5, we walk every employer through MOM's requirements as part of the placement process. We want you to go in informed, confident, and prepared to be the kind of employer that gets the best from the arrangement.
If you have questions about any of the regulations covered here, or if you would like to explore your options for a full-time or part-time helper in Singapore, visit our FAQ page or get in touch with our team directly. We are here to help you get it right from the start.
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