Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
QUALITY HELPER FOR QUALITY OF LIFE.
On Employing a Migrant Domestic Worker
Who can apply for a MDW?
All Singapore citizens, Permanent Residents and expatriates (holding valid employment or work passes), having a valid reason to employ a Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) at their residence, are eligible to apply but subject to MOM approval. For expatriate employers, they have to declare that their family members are living with them upon application.
What is the current levy?
Employers are required to pay a Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) monthly levy of S$300 (normal) or S$60 (concessionary). Levy charges begin on the fifth day after the MDW arrival in Singapore, including the day of arrival.
Levy Payment should be made via GIRO only. The Work Permit (WP) will be cancelled if the employer fails to maintain a valid GIRO account. Employers can view their levy bills on MOM e-Service portal’s Check and Pay Foreign Worker Levy system using their SingPass.
What are the criteria to be eligible for a levy concession?
An employer is eligible for a levy concession for each MDW (max. for two MDWs for each household) if he/she satisfies conditions set by MOM. Generally, a household that has a child/grandchild who is a Singapore Citizen below 16 years old or an elderly (Employer/Spouse/Parent/parent-in-law/grandparent/gandparent-in-law) who is a Singapore Citizen aged 67 years old or above may be eligible to apply for a levy concession but subject to MOM approval. Besides, a household living with a person with disability may also be eligible for levy concession. For further details on conditions and application procedures, please contact us at 6665 8199.
What are the key differences between an Indonesian MDW and a Filipino MDW in terms of service?
For Indonesian MDWs:
They speak Indonesian language which is quite similar to the Malay language used here in Singapore. Some of them who are college graduates or had worked in Singapore before would be able to speak and understand simple English.
Most of them are Muslims and do not eat pork. However, most of them would not mind handling pork during their course of work if required by their employers. Generally, they are agreeable to work on day-off in-lieu of compensation of salary.
For Filipino MDWs:
Generally, they have a good command of English. Most of them are Catholics or Christians. Some may be agreeable to work on day-off in lieu of compensation of salary.
What are the monthly salary range for Indonesian and Filipino MDWs?
For Indonesian MDWs, their monthly salary is S$570 depending on their working experience and capabilities. For Filipino MDWs, their monthly salary starts from S$620 depending on their working experience and capabilities.
On MDW Current Policies
Who can apply for a MDW?
How the new MDW insurance policy affects a customer like me? Collapse
The employers are required to take care of their MDW medical expenses in Singapore by providing them with adequate insurance coverage. This is compulsory before a work permit can be issued by MOM. The insurance policy requires the MDW to be covered with a minimum sum of S$60,000 per year (starting July 2023) for hospitalization claim. The sum is in line with the new hospitalization subsidy regulation. It is also compulsory for employers to take up a Personal Accident Insurance policy for their MDWs before they can employ them. The minimum sum assured should be S$60,000. Nevertheless, we would advise employers to upgrade the MDW insurance policy to an even better coverage to meet higher-than-expected bills arising from the MDW hospitalization expenses.
Can I repatriate the MDW without going through a maid agency?
Yes, the employer can repatriate the MDW without going through the agency as long as such action does not breach any of the clauses in the service agreement between the employer and the agency. However, we would strongly advise the employer to repatriate the MDW via Nation, so that we could discharge your responsibilities (if any) to protect your interest.
On Nation Quality Control and Services
On Nation Quality Control
and Services
How tight is your diligent process when selecting the maids for employment in Singapore?
Our MDWs are personally interviewed by our staff and they have to go through various stringent screenings in order to be selected for employment in Singapore. The MDWs are first recruited by our provincial recruiters and then transported to Training Centres. At the training centres, only those applicants that are considered suitable by the standards set by the Ministry of Manpower in Singapore (MOM) will be shortlisted for the first round. Applicants must further meet the preliminary physical, mental and attitude requirements set by our agents before they can proceed for the second round selection.
Selected MDWs will go through the training programmes in the designated training centres. It is here that those with undesirable work attitude and poor learning capabilities will be disqualified. Essentially, only good candidates be offered a job in Singapore.
Does Nation keep a centralized biodata or each centre offers different maid profiles and how accurate are the biodatas?
All MDWs’ profiles are stored inthe Cloud server for real-time access by all of our Service Centres. There will be no double selection by different employers.
What is Nation's position on immediate placement if my MDW wants a transfer?
We will do our best to provide the so called “1-in-1-out” service to employers as we understand they usually need the replacement immediately after their existing maid has been transferred. We will do our best to match the timing while at the same time abide by MOM’s regulations and formalities.
Can I interview the MDWs even if they are not in Singapore?
Yes. At Nation, we do offer webcam and/or telephone interviews with your selected MDWs in their home countries. In some remote areas which are not so accessible, prior notice is required for arrangement of such interviews.
What happens if the MDW I employ from Nation does not match up to my expectations?
Inevitably, some qualified MDWs may not be suitable for employers due to personality or compatibility issues. In such instances, we provide counseling services to the MDWs and advisory service to the employers. After the necessary assessment, if the existing MDW needs to be transferred, we will provide the replacement as soon as possible.
What after-sales service can I expect from Nation?
We value our customers. At Nation, we are committed to providing excellent before and after-sales service to all of our customers. We provide loyalty programmes and a full-range of services that include counseling for MDWs, renewal of work permit and passports, home-leaves, endorsement of embassy document, replacement of MDWs, upgrading skill courses, arrangement of air-tickets, and repatriation of the MDWs upon completion of their contracts. We also provide hotline services (by native speaking counselors) for your MDW if she needs assistance.
How many transfers am I entitled to and what are the penalties?
We offer various service packages comprising of different MDWs replacement entitlements and fees. We could customize the service package according to employer’s needs, if necessary.
Do you provide any social activities for maids supplied by your agency?
Domestic helpers can attend social activities organised by non-profit organisations for foreign workers. However, we strongly recommend Nation Club which is an e-learning platform designed specifically for domestic helpers to learn new skills, upgrade their knowledge and personal development. Nation Club can be accessed any time when your helper is free and wherever she is located, using a digital device with Internet access. Tutorial videos are available in their native languages such as Burmese and Bahasa Indonesian, which make learning easy and convenient. You can enrol yourself and your helper during the trial subscription period at www.nation.club.
What are the Modes of payment accepted for the transactions?
We accept cash, Nets, Cheques and Credit card payment as well as online funds transfer such as PayNow and PayLah. Additionally, we offer 0% installment service for repayment of placement fees offered by the selected banks. However, please speak to our customer service officers should you require other payment mode. Our priority is to provide convenience to our customers.
Any advance payable and would the advance be refundable in the event the MDW is returned?
We have a refund policy on the balance of the advance payment in the event the MDW is returned and successfully transferred to a new employer. This policy is conditional upon the employers not breaching any of the clauses stated in the service agreement between the employer and the agency.
