Guide on Finding the Best Maid Agency in Singapore

When you're giving someone the keys to your home and placing your children's lives in their hands, it makes sense to be more stringent with your selection of maids. Similarly, you would also want to be extra careful when selecting a maid agency to ensure you get the best selection of maids and advice. Here are some things to look out for.

1. Experience

   While experience doesn't necessarily equate to quality, it's a good gauge. Maid agencies with an active Singapore license for more than five years is a good indicator they won't shut down without warning after you've made payments and leave you hanging.

2. Placement Volume Over a Given Period

   Placement volume is the number of Foreign Worker (FW) work passes approved for the agency in 1 year. The higher the placement volume, the more helpers are being matched with employers.

   On the surface, high placement volume means the maid agency is doing relatively well.

   

3. Transfer Rate

   The transfer rate is the percentage of Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) placed by the agency who have transferred to 3 or more employers within one year.

   Jun 29, 2019 - Jun 28, 2020, Industry Average: 1.53%

   So it's better to look at maid agencies with a transfer rate lower than that. A low transfer rate might mean that the company probably has higher quality helpers or can execute better maid to employer matching.

   

4. Retention Rate

   Retention rate is the percentage of FDWs placed by the maid agency who have stayed with the same employer for at least one year.

   Jun 29, 2019 - Jun 28, 2020, Industry Average: 44.98%

   The higher the retention rate, the better it is. A higher rate shows that employers are satisfied with the helpers recommended to them and have stayed with the agency for more than a year.

   But do note that you might come across an agency with only one successful placement, attaining 0% transfer rate and 100% retention rate. Metrics like these aren’t an accurate depiction of the company’s reliability.

   

5. Ratings and Reviews

   For an overview of online reviews, you can look at the MOM EA directory, where licensed maid agencies are rated. The MOM website is the best place to get fair reviews, usually from other employers in Singapore.

6. Demerit Points

   When maid agencies in Singapore violate any of the Employment Agencies Act rules, they are issued demerit points. A maid agency with 12 or more demerit points will be placed under surveillance for 12 months.

   Violations of MOM's rules can be seen as being uncooperative, and there are clear grounds for distrust in services provided by these maid agencies.

   

There's a high chance that after comparing the various metrics, you're still stuck with multiple maid agencies.

Singapore mostly has maid agencies that will provide you with the essential maid employment services (sourcing, basic pre-employment training and matching). But sometimes, it's not good enough. The best maid agencies in Singapore will make the process as seamless and hassle-free as possible.

When qualifying maid agencies in Singapore, find out their screening process first. Without proper screening, you run the risk of being assigned a helper who's not a good fit for your needs. Then enquire about the following:

Advanced training

• Prepare and enhance your helper's skills in infant and pregnancy care, temporary/disability care, or looking after the elderly.
• Have peace of mind knowing she's well-equipped to give the best care to your loved ones even when you're not home.

Maid insurance

• Get comprehensive coverage for medical, liability, and other accidents related to your helper.

Employment paperwork and processing

• Work permit applications, cancellations, passport renewals, document endorsements by your helper's country embassy, and other processing can be complicated. 
• The agency knows how to get it done right and quickly, so leave the tedious work to them and focus on giving your family the best.

Licensed

First and foremost, only engage with licensed maid agencies. Singapore maid agencies are legislated by MOM to have an employment agency license. A Certificate of Employment Intermediaries (CEI) certification is also required for their key appointment holders/other EA personnel.

Agency Fee Inclusion

It's normal for maid agency fees to be anywhere up to $2,500.  So it's natural you ask, "What's included in the agency fee?"

Note about agency fees: Don't be too attracted to the low prices of agency fees. Some agencies transfer the cost from the prospective employers to the domestic helpers. Considering these FDWs are already in financial difficulty, it is best that you, the employer,  consider absorbing some of those costs. 

So, do check the fee that your maid has to pay the agency. By law, the fees that FDWs have to pay agents are capped at two month’s salary.

Employers are also NOT allowed to deduct agency fees from their helpers’ salaries. So, here are ten things that are typically included in the agency fees:

1. Registration of FDW

   Before an FDW is allowed to work in Singapore, employment agencies must request MOM for approval to enable FDWs to enter the country.

2. Overseas recruitment fee of the FDW

   Maid agencies usually have connections with source countries that supply potential hires. Part of the fees goes to finding a suitable candidate before bringing them to Singapore.

3. Air ticket

   After an interview is carried out and the screening results show she is a good fit, the agency will have to fly her over for training before deployment to your home. 

4. Initial medical checkup

   To ensure your helper is fit to work and for your family's safety, MOM requires FDWs to undergo a mandatory medical examination within two weeks of arrival in Singapore. 

   The medical examination screens the helper for four types of infectious disease (tuberculosis, HIV, syphilis, and malaria) and checks if she is fit for work. For employers who want to send her for more tests, additional fees might be included.

   Her Work Permit will only be issued if she passes the medical examination. Otherwise, she will have to be sent home.

5. Application fee for Work Permit and other documentations

   Who can apply	Employers or appointed employment agent (EA)
   How much does it cost?	Work permit application: $35 Work permit issuance: $35
   How long does it take?	FDW eService: 1 week Application form: 3 weeks

   For FDWs working in Singapore for the first time, they must also attend the Settling-In Programme within three days of her arrival. There’s a $75 (including GST) fee to be borne by the employer.

   Agency fees usually also include the first levy for your foreign domestic helper.

   Types of levy	Monthly rate	Daily rate
   Normal (1st FDW)	$300	$9.87
   Normal (Subsequent FDWs)	$450	$14.80
   Concessionary*	$60	$1.98

   *The concessionary rate applies to families with a young child, elderly member, or person with a disability.

6. Fee-related to entry test and Safety Awareness Course

   MOM regards safety as a top priority; all first-time FDWs have to attend a Safety Awareness Course. They’re instructed on precautions required for performing tasks such as cleaning windows and hanging laundry in an urban high-rise environment during the course. 

   First-time employers or those who change FDWs frequently have to attend a 3-hour Employers’ Orientation Programme (EOP).

   Classroom EOP: $35 to $60

   Online EOP: $35

7. Transfer of the maid from the airport to your home or agency

   When your helper arrives in Singapore, she will need transport to her temporary place of residence or your home. 

8. Medical and personal accident insurance

   As part of your obligations to your helper, you must buy medical insurance and personal accident insurance for her.

   MOM also states that employers must NOT pass on the cost of purchasing the insurance to their helpers.

9. Security bond

   A security bond is a binding pledge to pay the Singapore government if either you or your helper breaks the law or Work Permit conditions.

   All employers must purchase a standard $5,000 security bond for each helper employed unless she is a Malaysian.

   Employers must NOT pass on the cost of the bond to their maid.

10. Sending maid to MOM for thumbprint scan

    Just as Singaporeans need to have their thumbprints registered with ICA, all FDWs need to have their records with MOM.

Additional Services by Maid Agency After Employment of Helper

Some of the better agencies also provide additional services after you have employed a maid successfully. While the services may differ from agency to agency, some of the more common services are:

• Renewal of work permit and passports
• Counselling of FDWs
• Replacement of FDWs
• Home leaves

The whole idea of hiring a maid agency is to make life easier for you. They will provide training and recruitment so you can have a quality and highly reliable helper quickly. They will also conduct screening of potential helpers as they know what to look out for. They will handle all the confusing paperwork and processing, so you get to save time. 

As much as a maid agency has to do their job, you need to do your due diligence too. Here are the common mistakes that you should avoid when hiring a maid agency in Singapore:

Choosing the cheapest agency

Some people might be tempted to go with the cheapest maid agency in Singapore. While there's nothing wrong with saving, you don't want to end up wasting hours sending an inefficient or poorly matched applicant back.

If the agency for maid you’re looking at charges fees that are far below average, this should raise the alarm. They are either passing the fees to the maids (which is against the law in Singapore), or they’re probably scrimping on other aspects like quality of service or uninsured maids. 

Dependable maid agencies in Singapore will charge you a reasonable rate. Don’t rush through the selection process!

Hiring a company not approved by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM)

Walking around shopping centres or in the neighbourhood, it’s normal to see many maid agencies. Singapore has many of those scattered around and maybe you’ve already talked to a few agents and enquired about their rates and processes. Perhaps you even like them.

But before engaging their services, check the MOM Employment Agencies Directory before proceeding any further. Don’t make the mistake of hiring a maid agency without a valid license! 

You will get into trouble with the authorities if you hire the services of a maid agency that is not approved to operate in Singapore.

Not checking their online presence

Many existing employers encourage prospective employers to search for maid agencies in Singapore on social media or Google. 

While a maid agency can secretly ask their maids to give them 5-star reviews on Facebook and Google, you can look out for written testimonials instead. Many satisfied customers willingly write testimonials to help others who might be in a similar situation as them in the future.

Pro tip: Ask friends and family members who have previously hired maid agencies in Singapore for recommendations. That will save you a lot of hassle and reduce your risk of engaging a subpar one.

Furthermore, a company that is willing to invest in building up their online presence shows that they’re open about their business. Working with a transparent agency is always comforting.

These are the 3 most common mistakes when hiring foreign domestic helpers from maid agencies in Singapore. Avoiding these mistakes will assist in preventing possible disagreements and unnecessary hassle.

With the stress of taking care of your family’s needs and other household tasks, hiring a maid quickly is essential. Some agencies can get the job done quickly, but make sure it’s appropriately done too.

Don’t forget to conduct some background checks on the agency you’re considering to ensure you don’t end up spending more time and money because of other complications down the road.

Remember, it’s not so much about finding the best maid. But more about finding the best maid for your needs and requirements.