Faq - Employment Terms and Contracts

Ministry of Manpower

All employees – whether local or foreign, including your foreign domestic worker (FDW) – can terminate the employment contract at any time, as long as they serve the required notice stated in their contract, or make payment in lieu of notice. This is to maintain flexibility for both the employer and the FDW. When employees do so, it is not considered a breach of contract. Likewise, employers should also give notice as stated in the contract if they intend to end the FDW’s employment prematurely.

Both employers and FDWs may need to terminate a contract early for unanticipated reasons. To cater for this, employment contracts typically provide for such flexibility through termination clauses, which can be exercised before contract expiry. That said, many employment agencies do provide assistance to employers, such as finding a replacement, if the FDW terminates her employment contract early.

Employers must also make sure that their FDWs are paid before they leave. Failure to do so is an offence under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA).

Source information taken from https://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/work-permit-for-fdw/is-my-fdw-allowed-to-end-her-two-year-employment-contract-prematurely

Ministry of Manpower

No, there is no minimum period for employing a foreign domestic worker (FDW).

Source information taken from https://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/work-permit-for-fdw/is-there-a-minimum-duration-for-employing-an-fdw

Ministry of Manpower

If you are a single person, we will assess your eligibility and need to employ a foreign domestic worker (FDW).

To apply, you:

1. Must be 21 years old and above.
2. Cannot be an undischarged bankrupt when making the application.
3. Must be earning a steady source of income, because employing a FDW comes with various costs, including the FDW’s salary, levy, medical insurance and food.

Source information taken from https://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/work-permit-for-fdw/can-any-single-person-employ-an-fdw

Ministry of Manpower

You may be able to hire a second FDW if you have any of these family members living with you:

1. At least 2 children below 18 years old.
2. A parent or parent-in-law over 60 years old

Source information taken from https://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/work-permit-for-fdw/can-i-hire-a-second-fdw

Ministry of Manpower

You must be living in Singapore to employ a foreign domestic worker (FDW), but you do not need to be here during the application. You will still need to remain contactable if clarification is needed regarding your application.

Source information taken from https://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/work-permit-for-fdw/do-i-have-to-be-in-singapore-when-applying-for-an-fdw

Ministry of Manpower

Yes, you will need to submit a new application each time you intend to hire a foreign domestic worker (FDW).

Source information taken from https://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/work-permit-for-fdw/do-i-need-to-go-through-the-whole-process-each-time-i-apply-for-an-fdw

Ministry of Manpower

You can submit a request to MOM, subject to our approval:

1. Prepare a letter to explain your case and undertake that you will pay the levies and salaries for both FDWs for the period where both of them are under your employment.
2. Submit the letter using iSubmit. Under Request Type, choose option 5.

Source information taken from https://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/work-permit-for-fdw/ive-applied-for-a-replacement-fdw-can-my-current-fdw-remain-under-my-employment-for-a-short-period-after-my-new-fdw-arrives

Ministry of Manpower

The notice period gives foreign domestic workers (FDWs) and employers time for a smooth handover and transition.

Just like with any other employment contract, responsible FDWs who decide to end their employment contracts early need to either serve the notice period, or pay in-lieu of notice. You should explain to your FDW that she is contractually bound to serve the notice period, and discuss with your FDW to find a mutually agreed solution.

There are some cases where FDWs may need to terminate their contract early, without being able to pay the salary in lieu of notice. Employers are encouraged to exercise compassion where appropriate, and find a mutually agreed solution, such as a shorter notice period or waiving part of the salary in lieu of notice.

If your FDW is leaving and you have urgent caregiving needs, you may approach an employment agency that is under the Advance Placement Scheme to hire another FDW quickly.

Source information taken from https://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/work-permit-for-fdw/my-fdw-wants-to-end-her-employment-contract-without-serving-notice

Ministry of Manpower

Yes.

You must issue key employment terms (KETs)  to all employees, regardless of nationality, who are:

1. Covered by the Employment Act.
2. Employed on or after 1 April 2016.
3. Employed under a contract of service for a continuous period of 2 weeks or longer. This refers to the length of contract, not the number of days of work.

Source information taken from https://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/key-employment-terms/do-i-have-to-issue-kets-to-my-foreign-workers

Ministry of Manpower

It can take some time to find a suitable replacement FDW and arrange for her to come to Singapore, so you should aim to apply for a work permit at least one month before the work permit of your current FDW expires.

Upon the approval of your new FDW’s work permit, you only need to cancel your current FDW’s work permit just before you get the new FDW’s work permit issued.

Source information taken from https://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/work-permit-for-fdw/if-my-current-fdws-contract-is-expiring-soon-when-can-i-apply-for-a-new-fdw

Ministry of Manpower

Yes. If you hold an Employment Pass or S Pass, you can apply for a Work Permit for a foreign domestic worker (FDW).

For your application, you will need to provide copies of the following:

1. Your passport.
2. Your work pass or your spouse's Long Term Pass.
3. Your child's birth certificate or student pass (for Long Term Visit Pass holders).
4. You and your spouse's Income Tax Notice of Assessment for the current or previous assessment year (if any). Alternatively, you can give your consent to the Controller of Work Passes to verify your income with the Comptroller of Income Tax.

Note: If you or your spouse are unable to produce the required Income Tax Notice of Assessment, you must give the reasons in writing and an employment letter from your company (on the company's letterhead) stating the employment start date and the monthly salary.

If you are unable to produce any of the supporting documents, you can provide the following alternatives:

1. Reasons in writing.
2. Other documentary proof of income, overseas Income Tax of Assessment or fixed deposit statement with a local bank.

Source information taken from https://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/work-permit-for-fdw/can-an-employment-pass-or-s-pass-holder-employ-an-fdw

Ministry of Manpower

You are eligible to hire a second foreign domestic worker (FDW) if you have any of these family members living with you:

1. At least 2 children below 18 years old.
2. A parent or parent-in-law over 60 years old.

You also need to provide sufficient privacy and sleeping space in the house for the 2 FDWs.

To apply for the second FDW, submit a Work Permit application and provide the relevant information:

1. A copy of the children's birth certificates.
2. A copy of the parent's or parent-in-law's identity cards and the employer's or spouse's birth certificate.

Each household can hire up to 2 FDWs.

Source information taken from https://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/work-permit-for-fdw/how-do-i-apply-for-a-second-fdw

Ministry of Manpower

Yes. If you hold a Personalised Employment Pass (PEP), you can apply for a Work Permit for a foreign domestic worker (FDW).

For your application, you will need to provide copies of the following:

1. Your passport.
2. Your work pass or your spouse's Long Term Pass.
3. Your child's birth certificate or student pass (for Long Term Visit Pass holders).
4. You and your spouse's Income Tax Notice of Assessment for the current or previous assessment year (if any). Alternatively, you can give your consent to the Controller of Work Passes to verify your income with the Comptroller of Income Tax.

Note: If you or your spouse are unable to produce the required Income Tax Notice of Assessment, you must give the reasons in writing and an employment letter from your company (on the company's letterhead) stating the employment start date and the monthly salary.

If you are unable to produce any of the supporting documents, you can provide the following alternatives:

1. Reasons in writing.
2. Other documentary proof of income, overseas Income Tax of Assessment or fixed deposit statement with a local bank.

Source information taken from https://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/work-permit-for-fdw/can-a-personalised-employment-pass-holder-employ-an-fdw

Ministry of Manpower

No.
The KETs requirement only applies to employees covered by the Employment Act.
However, we encourage you to issue KETs to your domestic helper. This ensures that your domestic helper is clear about her key employment terms and benefits.

Source information taken from https://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/key-employment-terms/do-i-have-to-issue-kets-to-my-domestic-helper