Are you thinking about hiring a maid, but are unsure of the cost? You’ve come to the right place. At the current rate, one in five Singaporean households hires a Migrant Domestic Helper (MDW).
In Singapore, you’ll have to pay more than just the salary to hire a maid. This guide will address all of these other issues and costs.
The Ministry of Manpower permits Singaporeans to employ MDWs from a wide range of nations, some of which aren’t even listed here (MOM).
When considering hiring an MDW from one of these nations, keep in mind that these are the bare minimum wages. In preparing your budget, take in mind that an MDW who has previously worked in Singapore or elsewhere would cost more than one who has not.
An experienced maid, or one who is currently employed in Singapore, will set you back significantly in terms of labor costs. As a result of COVID-19’s border restrictions, demand for transfer maids has risen, as well as a lack of new MDWs due to the border restrictions. Transfer maids cost between S$800 and S$1,000 currently, whereas they used to cost between S$650 and $800.
A maid’s hourly compensation does not include the cost of food and housing or any other incidental expenses such as transportation to and from work or medical care for any injuries the maid may sustain while working alone at home.
Days at the office and days off
Maids in Singapore are entitled to eight paid vacation days every two months. A minimum of 12 hours of sleep each day is required, including seven uninterrupted hours of sleep at night.
Even if the employer is not allowed to have the maid work on her day off, she can nevertheless be asked for some assistance if needed. This means they must pay at least a day’s wages in additional compensation if this is the case.
Costs associated with a normal way of life
You must factor in the cost of food, accommodation, and other living expenses when calculating the salary of a domestic helper.
Domestic workers often spend about S$200 a month on food, on average. Depending on her dietary requirements and preferences, she may or may not consume the recommended serving size. Having a vegetarian assistant may necessitate a larger food budget.
It’s also possible that your household’s purchasing habits are having a big impact on these costs. Expenses will be higher if you and your family like to dine out a lot and frequently on family trips that require your maid.
A maid’s placement fee and a loan are included in the fee.
When you employ a maid, you may be required to pay a placement fee upfront. A month’s pay for your maid is used to pay for her administrative costs, such as getting her a job, training, and regular medical exams. This is standard practice.
Placement fees and maid loans aren’t included in your budget because you’ll be recouping the costs of the loan from the salary of your new employee during the first few months.
Expenses associated with COVID-19 that were not previously budgeted
Because of increased travel restrictions and safety precautions, the cost of a trip has more than doubled in the past year.
Hiring a maid now necessitates adherence to additional safety standards and guidelines as a result of the outbreak. MOM must give the maid permission to enter the house, perform swab tests before the maid leaves, and so on.
To summarize, hiring a housekeeper will set you back a considerable amount of money. Although you’ll save time and energy typically spent on household duties, it may be worth it in the long run.
Because the placement cost is non-refundable, doing your research on maid agencies and their prices before making a decision is highly recommended.
Continue reading to find out more about hiring a maid and getting maid insurance. Compare maid insurance policies and current specials and discounts on our website for more information.
