1. Why should I engage your employment and migrant domestic workers  (MDWs) agency? Are you the licensed agency?

Our agency offers comprehensive services to help you hire a Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) and save you the hassle of applying for a work permit. Our MDWs are carefully selected through intensive interviews by ourselves or our international partners, and strive to match only those who are suitable for employers.

Our agency is licensed by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), accredited by the Association of Employment Agencies (AEAS) and our staff are experienced and certified by Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) as Certified Service Professionals (CSP) and ExpertRating (an ISO 9001:2008 company in the USA) as Human Resources Specialists.

2. What are the costs of hiring a MDW?

Our package fees are one of the most affordable. The cost includes: one time agency fee / documentation & application / medical examination (both local and foreign) / medical insurance and security bond / settling-in-programme (SIP) / overseas contract / air ticket / flexible home service  / transportation / lodging & others etc.  

Although the cost of hiring maids has increased, our fees have remained relatively constant since the beginning of our agency.  

More maids leaving household within year (Nov 13, 2017 The New paper) - https://bit.ly/2JPqY9z

Philippines embassy tightens supply (Dec 39, 2015 The Straits Times) - http://goo.gl/I7R93D 

Hiring maids becoming more costly with tighter regulations (Jan 19, 2015 The Straits Times) - http://goo.gl/DlZb0h

3. Can I employ a MDW from any country?

No, you can only employ MDW's from MOM (Ministry of Manpower) approved source of countries for Migrant Domestic Workers (MDW's). The countries are: Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh.

4. Can you help me with the paperwork to bring in the MDW and I apply on my own application with MOM, insurance and others etc..?

Yes, we can, but the cost is about the same, so why bother to apply on your own? All the procedures can take up to 4-8 weeks. Our fees are affordable and there are no hidden costs. In addition, we offer comprehensive after-sales service and a 6 months mentoring program.

If the MDW is from your own contact or source, you can choose the direct hiring scheme. Not all applications are straightforward. That's why we recommend leaving it to professionals like us to make sure the process goes smoothly.

5. What is security bond, personal accident and medical insurance?

Employers must provide a $5,000 bank guarantee and purchase MDW accident and medical insurance. We work with our partner insurance companies to provide our customers with the right coverage with a wide range of choices.

6. What medical checks are necessary for my MDW during Covid-19?

All MDWs must undergo a medical examination and be fully vaccinated in their host country prior to arrival in Singapore. Our MDWs from Indonesia, Myanmar and the Philippines are also required to undergo a COVID-19 ART swab test within 48 hours prior to their departure for Singapore. Employers can view with the latest updates from the ICA site https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/wphl/faq).

7. Am I responsible for the medical expenses of the MDW?  

Yes, as an employer, you are obligated to pay for all medical expenses, including hospitalization. MDW basic insurance protection should cover Covid-19 protection, accidents and hospital costs. You can choose additional dental and mental health coverage for an additional premium.

8. Must I attend the Employers' Orientation Programme?

Generally, if you (the employer) have never hired a MDW before, you will be required to attend a four-hour Employer Orientation Program (EOP) before submitting your MDW work permit application. You can attend her EOP in person or online based. Singpass is required to register to attend her online-based EOP.

Please visit our website http://gladden.com.sg/first_time_employer.htm for more info and link to registration of SIP.

9. How much is the MDW’s levy per month and when do the employer pay them?

As the collection agency, the CPF Board collects levies on behalf of MOM. The MDW's levy is paid by your employer at the end of each month. Levy charges will be incurred from 1st to 4th days after the MDW's arrival in Singapore (excluding arrival date). For more information on immigrant domestic worker taxation, please visit http://rb.gy/sobdcf

10. Do I have to pay the MDW's salary and can I get refund on the maid-levy paid during the period that my MDW goes on home leave?

Yes, you can receive a refund of MDW fees paid while she is not in Singapore. You can prove your refund claim by going to any CPF branch and presenting your MDW passport. It depends on the employment contract with the MDW. In general, home leave is unpaid leave. However, if the maid finishes her two-year contract and is deemed to have been renewed, the MDW is entitled to a lump sum equivalent to her 15 days of paid leave or a return flight ticket to her hometown.

11. MDW's salary and sending money home?

 Monthly wages must be paid to the MDW within seven days of the date specified in the employment contract. Employers can pay their MDWs in cash (payment schedule with matching records) or by bank deposit. MDWs can send money through Western Union, their banks or other money transfer services. They will be given a local bank ATM debit card when their work permit is issued.

12. Settling-In Programme (SIP)

SIP is a mandatory one-day pre-placement program for all first-time MDW's. SIP aims to better guide MDW's and provide basic knowledge about living and working in Singapore. SIP details: https://rb.gy/p0ya2p

13. How long is the whole procedure to hire a MDW?

In general, maid arrival times differ depending on their nationality as follows: Filipinos: roughly two months, Myanmar: two to three weeks and Indonesians: two to three weeks.

14. How do I choose the right MDW?

(a) Know what to expect from the MDW. Please let us know your requirements. We will then send you the biodata that matches your criteria. After you have selected, we will arrange interviews with you with shortlisted candidates.

(b) Interview potential MDWs. When interviewing MDWs, list your priorities and see how each candidate's response. Be specific about what's important to you.

For example, if your priority is (a) babysitting (b) cooking (c) housework, etc., you can ask your MDW if she wakes up in the middle of the night to take care of your baby. Some helpers frowned at the thought of waking up in the middle of the night. Some worries about cooking etc. How many days off * are you willing to give your MDW in a month and is she willing to take it and will she be compensated for the days off she doesn't?

*Employers must provide maids with at least one rest day a month that cannot be compensated away: MOM (July 22, 2021 Channel News Asia) - https://bit.ly/33mtCm9

(c) Make your final choice. If you've interviewed several MDWs, you'll prefer one or two out of all the others. Choose carefully and both parties (MDW and you) should raise any concerns before proceeding. Please let us know your preference. We will prepare the documents that you need to sign or submit.

15. What are the important things to take note on hiring a MDW?

The Employment of Foreign Manpower Act stipulates that foreigners working as as domestic workers "may only perform housework and housework at the place of residence indicated on their work permit." Meanwhile, the Manpower Ministry wants to create flexibility for employers. Read on for more details and advice.

Draw up a list of chores that maids shouldn't have to do (Mar 30, 2017 The Straits Times) - https://bit.ly/2H36QmD

16. If the MDW don't work out well and we encounter problems with them, do you have replacement / transferring for her?

We will respond quickly to any problem by asking the MDW about the situation and providing a free counseling service to  solve the problem. Since all MDW's are human too and make mistakes, we cannot guarantee that everything will goes well. We have always done our best to ensure that our maids meet our standards before being assigned to Singapore.

If the counseling is not effective, we will advise and provide you with a replacement MDW according to the conditions signed in the contract. You must authorize the transfer of your current MDW through us so that we can replace her with a new MDW for you. We will do our best to provide you with a replacement MDW before transferring your current MDW so that you always have a MDW to do housework and manage your children or elderly, etc.

17. What are the documents required for processing of application for the MDW?    

(x) Photocopy of employer and spouse's I/C and members staying in your house.

(x) Children's birth certificates

(x) Current or previous year income tax's notice of assessment from IRAS

(x) Your certificate from Employment Orientation Program (if 1st time taking a MDW)

(x) Fixed deposit bank account statement for retirees hiring a MDW (Subject to MOM approval). 

18. More questions for information not found here? 

Please call or email us for more information. Tel: 6589 8433 Email: gladdenea@gmail.com

Note:

During this time when the pandemic is not yet completely over, we will continue to use WhatsApp, Zoom, SMS and phone to arrange interviews with employers, foreign workers and us. Documentation, administration and payments will be done through digital platforms whenever possible.

All personal information and documents collected from you are provided in confidence, for the sole purpose of the MDW application process and are not disclosed to third parties or used for any other purpose without your written permission, except as required by law.