What Are The Challenges Of Hiring Domestic Helpers In Singapore

One advantage that living in Singapore offers is affordable domestic help. Today, many households employ a Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) in Singapore. With FDWs helping with household chores and caring for our young and elderly, more Singaporeans are able to join the workforce, knowing that our homes are well taken care of while we are at work.

The challenge here is to find a competent, reliable and trustworthy foreign domestic helper in Singapore. However, it is not easy at all.

First of all, you must decide if you want a Filipino, Indonesia, Vietnamese or Myanmar maid. Myanmar maids are slowly gaining popularity in Singapore. As the culture in Singapore and Myanmar is vastly different, Myanmar maids usually take a longer period to settle down in Singapore. They generally speak some elementary English and can be very humble and hardworking workers.

Challenges of Hiring an FDW

Be prepared to face the challenges of an FDW who may:

• Not be able to speak or understand your language easily. Her spoken English may not meet your expectations
• Not be able to care for your loved ones or to clean your home according to your expectations
• Need constant supervision and coaching
• Have difficulty adjusting to living and working in a new environment
• Have a different way of life, beliefs and customs. 

Choosing a FDW

Once you have decided to employ an FDW, think through your selection criteria carefully. Focus on the primary duties you want your FDW to fulfil and select an FDW with the skills and qualities to perform those duties. For example: Caring for children - Look for an FDW who:

• Likes children
• Is energetic and patient
• Is pleasant and willing to learn
• Has experience caring for children
• Has the ability to communicate with your children

Caring for the Elderly or Disabled, The FDW should:

• Be physically strong if the family member needs assistance to move around
• Be patient and sensitive

• Be willing to learn
• Have experience in looking after the invalid, disabled or elderly
• Have the ability to communicate in a language the family member is familiar with

A good domestic helper eases our responsibilities at home, but if handled improperly, she could be a time-bomb too.  We need to know what to expect from each other and how to deal with the daily conflicts.

Tips In Hiring A Myanmar Maid In Singapore

Hiring a maid is a crucial decision that one should ponder carefully before coming to a final decision. One of the important factors to consider is from which country you prefer to hire a maid. In addition to Filipino and Indonesian, Myanmar maids seem to be the most popular choices among local employers. Many Singaporeans choose to hire maid from Myanmar due to their sweet nature and temperament. Another benefit of selecting Myanmar maid is the fact that they cost the least compared to others.

So, if you are thinking of hiring a household helper from Myanmar, here are some tips to guide you on how to find the best candidate. Bear in mind that you can only hire maid from agencies approved by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), otherwise, you will be in big trouble. 

Choose Big And Reputable Agency 

The first thing you need to do is find a reputable maid agency. Apparently, there are numerous agencies you can find in Singapore that offer maids from Myanmar and other neighbouring countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Just like buying, always go for a big and reputed company that has been around for several years to ensure that they are legit. Read some feedback from previous clients to get an insight of their service. If most of the comments are negative, you should look for another agency. 

Read The Entire Agreement

Once you found a reliable maid agency and a potential candidate, always take time to read through the entire contract or agreement. Never assume that all contracts are the same. Browse through every page of the agreement and be wary of those clauses that are tricky and will not benefit you. Look out for sections stating your stand if the maid runs away, commits a mistake or get pregnant. Find out what the agency will do in case of this scenario. Remember, when you affixed your signature on the agreement, you are already contractually binded.

 

Always Ask For A Timeline

If you opt for a new maid from Myanmar, it may take several weeks or a month for her to arrive in Singapore. So, you should ask the agency for a timeline regarding the arrival of the maid or the completion of paperwork. If they cannot deliver a maid, are you entitled to get a refund? Hiring a Myanmar maid in Singapore requires enough time to process the work permit and other requirements associated to the employment. Always ask for a timeline, otherwise, you will end up losing all the money and time you have invested. 

 
Enquire About Maid Replacement 

Another critical factor you should contemplate is the maid replacement. Don’t forget to enquire about maid replacement in case you are not satisfied with the performance of the one you hired. Be very careful if the agency offers unlimited replacement as it is too good to be true or a sign that their candidates are not competent. Enquire in details about the terms and conditions for replacement. Is it for free or with an extra charge? Some agencies will not provide replacement if you repatriate your current maid. 

Choose Agency That Can Cancel Work Permit

Never select an agency that doesn’t allow work permit cancellation. A reputable agency can cancel the work permit of the Myanmar maid in Singapore anytime. Just keep in mind that when you cancel her work permit, you have to bear the repatriation cost.