19 May 2020
EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES CAN TAKE OVER RESPONSIBILITIES FOR FOREIGN DOMESTIC WORKERS TO FACILITATE TRANSFERS
Dear Employer,
Due to worldwide travel restrictions, households are having difficulty hiring foreign domestic workers (FDWs) who have yet to enter Singapore. There are also difficulties repatriating FDWs home. Hence, employers should allow the transfer of FDWs if they are willing to continue working in Singapore.
2. To facilitate the transfer of your FDW to another employer, effective 20 May 2020, 2359 hrs, MOM will allow an employment agency (EA) to take over the responsibilities for your FDW during the transfer period. If you are agreeable, you can authorise the EA to cancel your FDW’s work permit (WP) through the FDW eService.
3. Once the EA cancels the WP on behalf of an employer, the employer is no longer required to pay the FDW’s salary, upkeep and maintenance (including accommodation, food and medical treatment), and repatriation costs during the transfer period; levy will also stop. The EA will be responsible for the FDW’s upkeep and maintenance while facilitating the transfer. If the transfer is unsuccessful, the EA will pay for the repatriation of the FDW.
4. Employers who no longer need your FDW may consider enlisting the services of an EA to take over the responsibilities for your FDW and arrange for her transfer to another employer. You may approach any EAs listed on this page. You can also contact EAs that are not listed on the web page to check if they are willing to take over the responsibilities for your FDW to facilitate her transfer. Please note that EAs may decline employers’ request for such an arrangement, should the EA assess that the FDW is not suitable for transfer.
5. If the FDW wishes to go home, the employer can cancel the FDW’s WP when they have secured a flight to send the FDW home. As per the current practice, the employer will be responsible for the FDW’s upkeep and maintenance, and repatriation costs, until the FDW leaves Singapore.