22 Apr - This calculation is based on Philippines Embassy's intention to make Sg employers pay more, suffer more yet didn't get better maid service. The Philippine government wants Singapore employers to bear its domestic workers' placement fees, which on average cost $2,000 or four months' salary. It wants to prevent filipino maids from paying this. Fresh Filipino maid has nothing to lose. Anything unhappy, employer kiss good-bye to all the money invested, nothing to tie FDWs down. Filipinos fly to Spore completely no loan, no burden so not required to commit and do a good job! Encouraged to run or behave badly at employers' expense.... legally protected leeches!
Most households need a FDW for dual roles, not plainly as a babysitter, cleaner or elder caregiver. It may be cheaper to hire a babysitter, put in childcare centre or engage part-time cleaner but if you've more than one child, work long or irregular hours, it is more practical to get a FDW. For me, I don't have an option to put my girl into a special needs daycare centre, get relatives' help, in-law's help nor could get a good babysitter living nearby, willing to give my girl loving care. Employing a FDW is my only option to earn a decent salary to cope with Sg high living standard.... if anyone bothers to read my blog.... should know.
Is it dirt cheap to hire a domestic maid (FDW) in Spore? S$1700 per month? Is it fair to make us pay all the live-in expenses and costs imposed by MOM but quality of FDWs kept detoriorating?
* low FDW retention means FDW worked just a few months, very often less than one year and was transferred out. I would believe most employers prefer to keep their FDWs so as not incurr losses and waste their time spent to train FDWs. Not many Sg employers are rich stay-home women, can afford the costs and time (take annual leave). When a FDW is really lousy, unwilling to work then FDW has to be sent back to maid agency. No such thing as employer gets free replacement. Each replacement is not really free and you don't get a suitable maid sourced by the same agency (you can afford to wait 1 to 3 months?) so don't be cheated by such gimmick, look at the terms and conditions before you pay full. Most agents just want to rush you to sign the papers and didn't let you read the contract properly, said you can read at home ... too late to regret if terms are unfavourable.
Fresh Filipino FDW's take home pay each month is S$500. Not required to pay anything or affected by Spore high cost of living. This amount excludes what FDW spends during weekly off days.
Maids can find 'sponsors' to pay so that she can have $500 untouched. Just need to learn from other experienced/polluted maids, they don't mind show newbies the ropes.
For NTUC Income FDW insurance policy MI2E, MI3E and MI4E plans issued with or without Waiver of Counter Indemnity on 01 Jan 2010 onwards, you will be entitled to the following refund amounts. This is provided that your Foreign Maid Insurance policy is taken up for a term of 26 months and is cancelled within 180 days.
Most households need a FDW for dual roles, not plainly as a babysitter, cleaner or elder caregiver. It may be cheaper to hire a babysitter, put in childcare centre or engage part-time cleaner but if you've more than one child, work long or irregular hours, it is more practical to get a FDW. For me, I don't have an option to put my girl into a special needs daycare centre, get relatives' help, in-law's help nor could get a good babysitter living nearby, willing to give my girl loving care. Employing a FDW is my only option to earn a decent salary to cope with Sg high living standard.... if anyone bothers to read my blog.... should know.
Using old system, employer must help to pay maid loan of 7 to 8 months once you agree to hire a fresh maid. Maid will only receive her real salary after 7-8 months of FREE LABOUR.
Money eaten by local and home country agencies. If maid claimed she is unaware of above S$2000 maid loan (placement fee), employer will lead a tough life. Maid will assume employer cheated her money.
Is it dirt cheap to hire a domestic maid (FDW) in Spore? S$1700 per month? Is it fair to make us pay all the live-in expenses and costs imposed by MOM but quality of FDWs kept detoriorating?
* low FDW retention means FDW worked just a few months, very often less than one year and was transferred out. I would believe most employers prefer to keep their FDWs so as not incurr losses and waste their time spent to train FDWs. Not many Sg employers are rich stay-home women, can afford the costs and time (take annual leave). When a FDW is really lousy, unwilling to work then FDW has to be sent back to maid agency. No such thing as employer gets free replacement. Each replacement is not really free and you don't get a suitable maid sourced by the same agency (you can afford to wait 1 to 3 months?) so don't be cheated by such gimmick, look at the terms and conditions before you pay full. Most agents just want to rush you to sign the papers and didn't let you read the contract properly, said you can read at home ... too late to regret if terms are unfavourable.
Fresh Filipino FDW's take home pay each month is S$500. Not required to pay anything or affected by Spore high cost of living. This amount excludes what FDW spends during weekly off days.
Maids can find 'sponsors' to pay so that she can have $500 untouched. Just need to learn from other experienced/polluted maids, they don't mind show newbies the ropes.
| Cost of Indonesian live-in FDW | |||
| Description - employer's spending | Monthly | Remarks | |
| Fresh/Inexperience Indonesian FDW | $450.0 | minimum salary, as per Indonesia embassy | |
| weekly off days by law, year 2013 @$69.20 | $0.0 | based on 26 working days, salary includes 4 off day (compensation) | |
| Spore Agency fee $988 to 1888, based on 12months @$1288 | $107.3 | low FDW retention, no guarantee FDW will complete 2 years | |
| Maid loan (FDW owe agencies) | $0.0 | 7 months salary, employer pays advance $3200 | |
| $367.05 Medical & insurance + bond | $61.2 | divided by 6 months. FDW Insurance has no refund value after FDW worked above 181 days | |
Half yearly medical test, MOM requirement 3 meals, same as employer | $6.5 $312.0 | FDW pregnancy and health check-up Based on 26 working days | |
| FDW Levy | $170.0 | usual is $265 | |
| Settling (SIP) course | $7.4 | divided by 12month (low FDW retention rate) | |
| Accommodation, Utilities, laundry and bathroom facilities | $400.0 | based on twin-sharing room rental | |
| Medical, sundries, transport, pillow, mattress, bedsheet, etc | $20.0 | ||
15 days Home Leave after 2year contract | $12.0 | Use 24 months to save and pay FDW home leave | |
| Return air ticket cost minimum $500, after 2year contract | $20.8 | Use 24 months to save and pay FDW home leave | |
| Employer pays | S$1,567.30 | This is what Employer forks out each month. Is it dirt cheap to hire a domestic maid (FDW) in Spore? Is it fair to make us pay all the live-in expenses and costs imposed by MOM but quality of FDWs kept detoriorating? | |
FDW's take home pay each month Not required to pay anything or affected by Spore high cost of living | S$450.0 | No weekly off days so not much spending. Maids can find 'sponsors' to pay so that she can have $450 untouched. Don't be surprised, she has her ways even though no off days. They are smart! | |
For NTUC Income FDW insurance policy MI2E, MI3E and MI4E plans issued with or without Waiver of Counter Indemnity on 01 Jan 2010 onwards, you will be entitled to the following refund amounts. This is provided that your Foreign Maid Insurance policy is taken up for a term of 26 months and is cancelled within 180 days.
When policy cancellation is done from the start date of Foreign Maid Insurance
|
Refund Amount
|
Within 60 days
|
70% of policy premium
|
Within 61 to 90 days
|
55% of policy premium
|
Within 91 to 180 days
|
40% of policy premium
|
From 181 days onwards
|
No Refund
|
| Basic premium rates | |||||
| 26 months policy | $ 367.05^ | ||||
| 14 months policy | $ 238.65^ | ||||
The cost to hire a domestic maid may rise if your FDW happens to get a low starting pay, compared to FDWs from another country. Yahoo has this article about different nationalities were offered different starting pay in Spore. This is related to SMRT bus drivers' strike. Source
The civil advocacy groups Maruah, Think Centre, Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) and Workfair Singapore , called for an anti-discrimination culture and law to be cultivated and instituted respectively in Singapore
“Migrant workers are treated as commodities. They have basic rights. How can you just kick them around as if they are nothing?”
“The objective and the intention behind not giving a 14-day notice must come into play”, noting that the act is one of public order and thus, the strike’s intent must be proven. Based on Parliamentary speeches made by Lee Kuan Yew and David Marshall in 1955, the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act (CLTPA), which metes out an imprisonable sentence, is targeted at clamping down on “topengs” (agitators) and “hotheads” who may disregard negotiations intended to be held during the 14-day strike notice period.
Winter: Filipino, Indonesian, Myanmese, Indian, Sri Lankan FDWs are being offered different starting pay (inexperience fresh maid). So if these activists want to make life more difficult for FDWs’ employer, what can we do? If activists insist all human should enjoy the same minimum starting pay, regardless nationalities and living standard, who will help to protect our interest and hard earned money?
MOM?
Wait long long! MOM will be happy to continue take the back seat, support the foreigners and make our pockets burnt. MOM will not turn down any request made by source countries or activists. Has MOM turned down any lately? What have they done to help? Which policy did MOM implemented recently that is proven effective and helpful to us? Already 4 months since the weekly off day was legislated. What regulation was passed out to reduce our liabilities and risks when maids are enjoying off days?
Maid are now more proned to sexual diseases yet employer still made liable to pay for their half yearly medical check-up. If FDWs are found pregnant or infected with diseases and the Dr report to MOM instead of letting employers know in advance, what can you do to minimise your losses and inconvenience caused? Nothing, no law has been passed to safeguard our interests nor erase our fears.
Maid are now more proned to sexual diseases yet employer still made liable to pay for their half yearly medical check-up. If FDWs are found pregnant or infected with diseases and the Dr report to MOM instead of letting employers know in advance, what can you do to minimise your losses and inconvenience caused? Nothing, no law has been passed to safeguard our interests nor erase our fears.
Just highlighting another case of being friendly and helpful to foreigners. I didn't say the bus drivers shouldn't stand up to uphold their rights .... just jealous and frustrated activists are helping them, whereas, no organisation bothers to look at us.
Looks like the country law means nothing to activists, if they felt not right, just hit people with 'Human Rights' and you are half dead! Treat human like commodity, treat maids like slaves ... all sorts of accusation to make 'human rights' stand out. This weapon call 'Human Rights' is so powerful but can FDWs' employer use it? MOM didn't treat us like human, disregards our feelings, we're less important compared to FDWs..... we're just their money trees, ATM machines, am I right? If you disagree, kindly direct me to some new policies that state FDWs' employer are also human, treated fairly and given equal human rights/protection from the hungry wolves. Tell me something to brighten my life as a FDW's employer. I believe I'm not the only employer who need some encouragement/news to show MOM/PAP didn't forsake us, value 'outsiders' more than citizens (trying very hard to make ends meet).
Looks like the country law means nothing to activists, if they felt not right, just hit people with 'Human Rights' and you are half dead! Treat human like commodity, treat maids like slaves ... all sorts of accusation to make 'human rights' stand out. This weapon call 'Human Rights' is so powerful but can FDWs' employer use it? MOM didn't treat us like human, disregards our feelings, we're less important compared to FDWs..... we're just their money trees, ATM machines, am I right? If you disagree, kindly direct me to some new policies that state FDWs' employer are also human, treated fairly and given equal human rights/protection from the hungry wolves. Tell me something to brighten my life as a FDW's employer. I believe I'm not the only employer who need some encouragement/news to show MOM/PAP didn't forsake us, value 'outsiders' more than citizens (trying very hard to make ends meet).
When a worker demands, go on strike for better pay at the expenses of others, their employers get fined due to the disruption they caused.
Dec 2012 - I paid these for my
$450
|
Indonesian FDW's Salary - minimum salary
|
$1288
|
Agency fee (agencies claimed their FDWs are trained - 400 hrs) Employer's house is the real training centre, not agency
|
$2925
|
FDW's 6.5 month loan (she's a transfer maid)
|
$321
|
2-year medical & insurance + bond
|
$170
|
FDW Levy (concession, normal is S$265/month)
|
$350
|
3 meals, same as employer (based on 29 working days, using $3 per meal, excluding drink, snacks, visits to restaurant)
|
$4
$400 |
FDW half yearly medical check-up
Accommodation, Utilities, single bed, laundry and bathroom facilities. A common room rental in Spore is $600 to $900/month |
-
|
Settling (SIP) course (a training imposed by MOM but just a waste of employer's money). Factored into agency fee.
|
?
|
Medical, sundries, transport, etc
|
$400
|
Return air ticket cost minimum S$400, after completion of a 2-year contract
|
$225
|
15 days paid Home Leave after completion of a 2-year contract
|
?
|
Employer's liabilities: runaway FDW and $5000 security bond
|
?
|
Repatriation cost of a bad maid - one way ticket home
cross my fingers, hope nothing happens that will fish money from my pocket
|
Pay FDW high salary does not equate to better performance. Employers who have learnt the hard way will know what I mean. They know that FDWs nowadays get much higher salary, better welfare and more people to pity them. Their quality had deteriorated, not worth the dollars and cents!
I believe it's better to pay an inexperienced FDW a reasonable monthly salary of S$400 per month. The monthly levy that MOM made us paid can be considered as bonus. If the FDW successfully completed 23 months of service with her employer, will be getting a 2-year contract renewal, the levy that her employer has paid to MOM should be cashed out and become her bonus. Let's say $170 x 24 months = S$4080!! This will really motivate a FDW to provide good domestic service, childcare or eldercare and stick to one employer. It will also encourage FDWs to stay in Spore and not fly to Hong Kong or Taiwan
While hunting for a suitable transfer maid, I saw an Indian/Nepalese whom I was very keen to hire but hubby uninterested. Her English seemed better than my Indo. She can eat anything, looked tall and matured. I regret not following my heart and ask her to visit my house for interview.
Hope MOM encourages Spore agencies to bring in FDWs from new source countries such as rural/poor China provinces, Cambodia or Vietnam
Can MOM stop agencies from treating FDWs like commodities? Stop making employers look like ATM machines, bear all the risks & costs and allowed agencies to make huge profit from each FDW that was marketed?
Allow DIY, provide a legal online website in each source country for employers to bring in FDWs without going through any agent? Can MOM allow FDW be housed in a boarding house and remove all liabilities lumped on my shoulder? I don't want to know what she does after working hours or on off days. Don't make me fully responsible for her bad behaviour and well-being, especially when she's not physically working in my house.
I don't know how long I can tolerate life living with FDW. Will I be able to endure till M finishes her loan? Will I live to see 明天会更好?
Felt nowadays, hiring a FDW is like killing myself slowly. If you have no sickness, you may end up with. I stopped my long-term medication but worry new FDW may trigger my illness. I feel like I'm a volcano going to erupt.
Links:
Do you really need to employ a maid?
Do your sums
Links:
Do you really need to employ a maid?
Do your sums
Comparison - A maid’s salary:
Dh1400 to Dh2000 (S$500), with experience
Dh1100 – Filipino with no experience
| |
HK$3920 (S$617), with experience
Employers prefer those who've worked 2 years in Spore
Given weekly off days and Public Holiday off
| |
NT$15840 (S$665) , with experience
Employers prefer those who've worked 2 years in Spore
Levy NT$5000 (S$200)
Working on off days will be paid NT$528/off-day
| |
Saudi
|
US$210 (S$257) - Filipino with no experience
|
|
| |
|
Mandatory weekly off days. Pay compensation for no-off
|
By the way, to expatriates or other high income earners, spending S$1500/per on FDW is no big deal, simply too cheap to hire a live-in domestic maid. Expat tend to focus on the basic salary (S$400 to $500) and start screaming ‘so low, OMG!’, having a maid is a must-have thing in Spore because it is too affordable to them! A lot of expatriates auto increase the salary of their FDWs by paying extra S$100 to 200 above market rate.
This kind of cash rich people should really have a taste of what it means by being too nice, spend generously on their FDWs and end up being played out! You may think I’m mean but this is the best way to stop people from accusing us as bad employers, treating FDWs like slaves, didn’t try to give FDWs a better life in Spore and allow more freedom.
Read more by clicking this image.
Links:
Hired FDW for special needs child
Employing M, my Indonesian FDW
Maid doesn't activate her senses and brain
Maid 'enjoys' treasure hunting
FDW denied mistakes
Maid with no mobile phone on working days
Maid's negligence
Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
Direct hire filipino
Mandatory off days
Finding suitable transfer FDW
Maid is not a family memberEmploying M, my Indonesian FDW
Maid doesn't activate her senses and brain
Maid 'enjoys' treasure hunting
FDW denied mistakes
Maid with no mobile phone on working days
Maid's negligence
Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
Direct hire filipino
Mandatory off days
Finding suitable transfer FDW
Cost of Employing Maid (Domestic Helper)
Why set up a blog?
How do we, the employers showed that we really paid a lot for FDWs but not fairly protected by law? How do we get MOM and activists to recognise the fact that foreign domestic workers (FDW) are a necessity in some households? How do we feedback to MOM we are victimised by maid agencies, maids and embassies? Also, MOM may tweak its policy if more voices are received from employers. Employers in Spore, I suggest you
Ministry of Manpower, 18 Havelock Road, Singapore 059764 with your real name and ID.
It will be better if you've proof/evidence to submit.
Agency fee in Spore (one example)
Just to share, I renewed my Indo maid's contract in May 2011. Her salary went up from $360 to $400 within the first year, and upon renewal, $430. End of this year, I would have to renew the contract again (passport expiry). So, I will most probably have to pay her $500 (if I want a maid)... because, while she has her imperfections, it is better to pay her (the devil I know @$500)then to re-train and pay someone else (the angel/devil I still do not know, $500 or more!). Plus the agency fees, maid loan, etc etc
ReplyDeleteThis place is win-win for agents and maids. Employer’s roles are to pay & pay and don’t ask govt why we are not covered under their mighty wings!
I can't agree more.
ReplyDeleteSG employers of domestice workers suffer most especially when embassies put pressure on our government and make demands that favour their own people like higher salary and more restdays. Worse still our own kind are told that market is no good we have to make do with less or no increment, work longer hours to be productive and keep our economy going... while our domestic helpers get handsome pay rise that is ON PAR WITH MARKET plus more leisure time to go out and play!!??
Under such condition how are we Singaporean going to pro-create when we have such tight resources and little time of our own?? How to save up when a large part of our salary go into maintaining a maid, levy, taxes, housing loans, utility bills etc etc!!??