Need help with hiring a domestic helper?

If you’re already living here and in the process of hiring a domestic helper in Singapore, you might have noticed it’s more difficult to hire a maid at the moment; and, with any hiring process, you need as much help as possible in getting it right. Read on for one easy solution to this right here.

Having a domestic helper in Singapore

As a first-timer, hiring a domestic helper can initially feel a bit unusual. But, as everyone here will attest, having home help in this climate can be so beneficial — especially for those of us juggling busy lives. Add to that pets, always-hungry humans and a partner who still leaves their socks on the floor and you’ll soon be wondering how you managed without!

Based on statistics by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), 252,600 Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) were in employment as a domestic helper at the end of June 2020. This means that one in five Singapore households have live-in maids to manage household chores. This is great news for FDWs seeking work to provide for their families back home. However, research has also found that one in three maids fail to complete their standard two-year contract.

While reasons for this vary, one is due to a high frequency of mismatched maid and employer. MOM has since rolled out measures to help those looking for domestic help to find the right fit.

One-stop shop for maid agencies

As the statistics show, while the demand for help is high, finding a maid to suit your requirements can be surprisingly difficult. Using maid agencies is a good option. But how do you know which one to choose?

TransferMaids.com is a brilliant platform that connects those looking for a maid to a selection of licensed maid agencies in Singapore in one easy place. No more surfing the net for hours: here you can find full-time maids, part-time maids, part-time caregivers, nannies and babysitters through their exclusive network. There’s also a choice of new maids, transfer maids and ex-Singapore maids.

While not a maid agency itself, TransferMaids showcases maids from a number of reputable maid agencies and gives prospective employers a quick overview of domestic workers’ details. You can discover where the maid is from, whether they’re new to Singapore, when they can start, and whether they have children themselves. The site provides information on maid costs and agency fees and gives advice on subjects such as home leave and rest days. It also answers your niggly questions such as: Can your maid wash your car? What time can she come home on her day off? Does she get public holidays? What happens if she gets pregnant?  You know, the things you worry about but daren’t say out loud.

Why go with an agency?

Going through a maid agency via TransferMaids saves you stress and time. The agency will do the running around and take care of the necessary paperwork, including verification checks imposed by MOM.

Importantly, they’ll help the maid complete the contract. After hiring, they’ll do a follow-up and assist to nip any problems in the bud if a premature termination looks likely. If she turns out to be unsuitable, they can provide a replacement for free or at a fee. (Ultimately, it’s better to have an extra hand as you lose more money if the contract ends prematurely.)

All you have to do is decide what kind of domestic helper you need: some prefer those who have not worked for expats before. Others only want helpers who’ve worked in expat households on the basis that they’ll be good at whipping up a Sunday roast and will understand the lifestyle. Just ensure that they’re clear about your husband’s errant sock habit, and you’ll be good to go …

Both Licensed Singapore Maid Agencies and potential employers looking for a helper can get in touch with TransferMaids via their website.

Moving here? Read our huge guide on where to live in Singapore

Jo Upcraft

Jo has lived in Singapore for seven years. Originally from the UK, she previously edited women's magazines in London and Dubai. When Jo’s not writing lifestyle features, she's travelling, doing yoga, hunting down home furniture, or hanging out with a cupcake in Tiong Bahru.