According to statistics from the Ministry of Manpower, nearly 50 percent of those in domestic help in Singapore fail to complete their first year of employment. OTBERT DE JONG recognised that the process of hiring maids in Singapore is a major challenge for many households. So he co-founded the Ministry of Helpers (MoH) to improve the matching outcome for employers and their home help.
“The difficulties not only include ensuring trust and reliability and matching specific skill sets, but also handling administrative compliance, effectively managing the staff communication barriers,” he says. “Our platform tackles many of these problems with our simplified and structured processes, and a comprehensive database of domestic help and employers.”
Otbert believes that proper hiring practices and effective home and helper management will lead to happy homes and longer retention rates.
AI-supported process for hiring domestic help
MoH aims to improve the experience of hiring maids in Singapore by changing traditional methods of hiring through an agent. This innovative solution utilises advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology to provide best matches for both employers and domestic helpers. Otbert says that it’s the first and only platform to use AI-supported two way filtering, allowing employers and home helpers to select each other based on their preferred criteria. Once candidates are shortlisted, employers can chat or schedule video interviews with each helper, make offers and sign contracts through the platform.
This direct hiring process is transparent and eliminates the need for a maid agency, which means there are no placement fees or salary deductions. This ensures that the foreign domestic helper starts work without a debt, which is often a major source of conflict that affects their performance. This simplified recruitment process for both employers and helpers is paired with comprehensive support services that MoH says results in a smooth and efficient hiring process.
Otbert adds, “We provide concierge support for handling paperwork and legal compliance and have a Client Services Team with multilingual and multicultural support. All these simplify the hiring and management process, providing peace of mind for employers.”
AI also ensures that all records, documents and processes are streamlined while still meeting the regulatory requirements for hiring maids in Singapore. Contract renewals and other document maintenance can also be easily handled through the platform.
Ministry of Helpers – home management made easy
Beyond matching, the MoH platform helps employers and home helpers to manage the household more efficiently.
For example, a household scheduler on the platform enables the managing of tasks to ensure that nothing is overlooked, as well as family schedules.
The platform also features a forum for helpers to connect with each other, which MoH believes helps make the social and practical integration of helpers become much easier.
Hear from a client…
“Our search for a reliable domestic help from Indonesia was effortless with the user-friendly MoH platform. What sets them apart is the detailed helper profiles showcasing their experience. This enabled us to find a perfect match for our family. We connected directly with interested domestic helpers, whether they were currently in Singapore or back home. The direct communication with potential helpers plus bypassing hefty agency fees added a refreshing touch to the process. Highly recommended!” – Nicholas, who employed Sriana through MoH
Ministry of Helpers is at 195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace, #02-16. Call 8010 1532 or visit ministryofhelpers.com to register and find the right match for your household needs.
This article on home help first appeared in the August 2024 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy! Our Living in Singapore section has more tips on home services. And you can also explore Singapore through the articles in our Things to Do section.
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