How to check FDW's employment history in Singapore?
Getting a helper nowadays is not as easy as it was in the past. One reason is the limited number of maids who are allowed to enter Singapore because of the COVID-19 situation. Luckily, you can take precautions to improve your selection so you can avoid common maid-related problems.
One of these measures includes checking up on the employment history record of the maid you are considering to hire. FDWs should have a clean record from their previous employers, especially after completing their 2-year contract. Checking the FDW employment history allows you to know about the maid's strengths and weaknesses and their experiences with their previous employers.
You can check a maid's employment history record on your own through MOM's online website. All you will need are the basic details of the maid you are planning to hire and a SingPass account. To help you through the process, here's a simple step-by-step guide.
Log in to Work Permit (WP) Online
To login on WP online, you will need to enter your SingPass login details. Note that this service is only available at the given office hours on its page. After logging into your account, proceed with the following steps:
Step 1. Look for the "Enquire" tab
On the left corner of the page, there will be a list of services. Look for the "Enquire" tab and click on it.
Step 2. Click "Foreign Worker/Foreign Domestic Worker Employment History"
Next, look for the "Foreign Worker/Foreign Domestic Worker Employment History" tab and click on it.
Step 3. Enter the FDW's particulars
After clicking the "Foreign Worker/Foreign Domestic Worker Employment History" tab, you will be redirected to a new page. This page will give you three options to choose from to find the FDWs history records. Such options include:
- Option 1: The FDW's Work Permit Number
- Option 2: The FDW's Foreign Identification Number (FIN)
- Option 3: The FDW's details (Name, Date of birth, Gender, Nationality, and Passport Number)
After completing any of the above options, you will be redirected to your potential maid's employment records. Scan the records thoroughly and check if the maid has good feedback from her previous employer.
Inquire through an employment agency
Another way to get an FDW's employment history record is through their agency. The Ministry of Manpower will send the contact details of the maid's previous employer to her employment agency. This way, the agency will be able to contact the former employers and ask them about their experiences with the maid. If a maid is found to be guilty of any offence or has disobeyed the laws of Singapore, they will be automatically blacklisted.
Setting some expectations and considerations early on in your negotiation or search will help you find the right maid:
- The maid’s salary
- Maid’s health
- Maid’s linguistic capability
- Maid’s experience level
Ideally, first-time employers will seek feedback from the previous employers of their chosen FDW(s). But in some cases, contacting the current or former employers can be difficult. If you cannot get hold of them, you can turn to MOM as they keep records of every FDW's employment history.
