Many Singapore citizens and residents hire maids for various reasons. They might need an extra pair of hands to help them with household chores or to take care of younger children or aging parents. Getting the help of maids also allows them to focus on matters that are important to them without neglecting their responsibilities at home.
If you are thinking of hiring a maid, there are plenty of important things you need to consider, one of which is whether you should hire a transfer maid or a new maid. While either option has its own pros and cons, your choice should ultimately depend on your personal needs and circumstances.
To help you make the best choice, we’ve written this guide to inform you of the most basic differences between hiring a transfer maid and hiring a new maid. We’re also providing you with some of the most information you need to know before employing a household helper.
The Process of Hiring a Transfer Maid
Transfer maids are foreign domestic workers who are currently working in Singapore but are looking to transfer to another employer for any number of reasons, which can include the expiration of their contract or employers opting to discontinue their service. Since these maids are already in Singapore, they can start working for you within a week. Moreover, you can meet the maid and interview them in person before hiring them.
A transfer maid agency Singapore residents trust can help you look for maids who are searching for new employers, in addition to arranging the interview schedule. These agencies can also assist you in complying with the requirements of the Ministry of Manpower or MOM.
According to the MOM website, you are required to do the following if you will be hiring a transfer maid:
- Check with the maid’s current employer if the helper has undergone their six-monthly medical examination. If not, this needs to be accomplished at least 30 days before the domestic helper’s work permit expires.
- You need to log in to MOM’s FDW eService to request consent from the maid’s current employer for a transfer. As soon as you have received the consent, you can proceed with the application for the maid’s new work permit.
- Arrange the transfer date of the new helper with their current employer. On the agreed transfer date, make sure to get the newly issued work permit online. Afterwards, upload the declaration form you and the maid have signed.
What Are the Advantages of Employing a Transfer Maids
Some people prefer hiring transfer maids because they have an opportunity to screen the helper themselves during the in-person interview. From here, one can ask questions about their skills set and gauge the prospective employee’s characteristics and general attitude. If you want to learn more about their background and previous work experience, you can also refer to their Employment History—which will be provided by the employment agency as required by MOM. Doing this will help you evaluate if the helper is a good match for what you are looking for.
Since the maid has been residing in Singapore for quite some time, they will also have become familiar with the local culture and lifestyle. This makes them better prepared in terms of adjusting to your expectations.
In terms of costs, hiring transfer maids also tends to be more affordable. After all, these individuals are already living in Singapore, so even if you choose to hire them through a transfer maid agency, the fees wouldn’t cost as much as hiring someone from overseas.
The Process of Hiring a New Maid
New maids, on the other hand, are helpers who are currently located in another country and are looking for employment in Singapore. They can have previous experience and training in their home country but not in Singapore. Since they are still based overseas, it can take a couple of weeks or more before new hires can start working. Thankfully, if you are looking for a new maid, you can contact a maid agency and get their help in selecting a candidate and completing all the required government requirements. Doing this will ensure that hiring a foreign domestic worker will be a smooth and frictionless experience for you.
Before hiring a new maid, however, a prospective employer must meet the criteria set by MOM to be an eligible employer of a migrant domestic helper. First of all, you must be a citizen of Singapore, a permanent resident, or an expatriate with an employment pass. In addition to this, you must have a minimum household income of $30,000 per year. You also need to be at least 21 years old and shouldn’t have any records of undischarged bankruptcy. Finally, you must also be mentally capable to understand and discharge your responsibilities as an employer.
The Ministry of Manpower will assess your financial status to ensure you have the ability to hire, maintain, and provide a helper with acceptable accommodations.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Employing a New Maids
As mentioned, since any prospective new maid will have to come from their home country, you won’t be able to conduct a face-to-face interview with them. Nevertheless, you can arrange a video or phone interview, which should eliminate some of your apprehensions and provide you with an idea as to what kind of person the maid is like. Compared to a transfer maid, however, a new maid won’t have any employment history or record in Singapore. These limitations can make it challenging for you to assess the maid’s qualities and work performance.
Due to the fact that it is the first time they are coming to Singapore, they will still be unaware of the local lifestyle and culture. This means you may need to supervise them until they learn the ropes and become familiar with the results that you want.
When it comes to financial costs, hiring a new maid tends to be more expensive than hiring a transfer maid. Aside from the agency fees, government-mandated fees, and other fees and bonds, you will also need to pay for the maid’s airfare and—if you’re hiring in 2022—shoulder costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it’s an option to negotiate for a lower salary because a new maid will still be inexperienced in terms of working in Singapore.
Many families in Singapore have maids to help them with their household chores, and you, too, have the option to hire one. Depending on your needs and circumstances, you can either hire a transfer maid from another employer or a new maid from overseas. Whatever you decide on, hiring a maid with the help of a professional domestic helper agency can make the whole process easier for you.
When looking for a maid employment agency, however, make sure to only contact a licensed company to ensure that you and your prospective helper will be able to comply with all legal requirements.
