- At least 1 rest day a month must be taken, not paid off
- Medical insurance of at least $60,000 a year
- A $5,000 security bond is at stake if you break the rules
- She works only at your registered address
- Levy is $300 a month, or $60 with a concession
Hiring a helper feels like finally coming up for air.
Meals are cooked, floors are clean, and the kids or your parents are looked after.
But you're also now an employer, with legal duties under the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
Most of us know about salary and a place to sleep. The rules below are the ones that catch good employers off guard.
1. Can I Keep My Helper's Passport?
No. Her passport, Work Permit card, ATM card, bank book and phone belong to her.
Many employers lock the passport away "for safekeeping". She never asks for it, so it seems fine.
But if she ever goes to MOM, one of the first questions is whether she can get to her own documents. If the answer is no, that looks like control.
The simple fix: give her a drawer or locker with a key only she holds.
2. Can I Pay Her Instead of Giving a Rest Day?
Only partly.
She can spend that day at home if she likes. The point is that she isn't working.
MOM also allows it as one full day or two half days, as long as you both agree.
3. How Should I Pay Her Salary?
Pay her every month, within 7 days after the salary period ends.
If she asks to be paid by bank transfer, you have to do it.
Cash is still allowed, but get her to sign a salary record each time and keep it.
"I always pay her on time" doesn't help much if there's a dispute and nothing in writing. A recurring bank transfer solves this in one go.
4. Where Can She Sleep?
Somewhere safe, clean, ventilated and private.
That rules out the space under the stairs, or a mattress next to the washing machine.
And she must never share a room with an adult male or teenage boy, no matter how well everyone gets along.
5. Can She Help at My Parents' Place?
No. She can only work at the address on her Work Permit.
This is the rule that trips up the most families.
Sending her to sweep Mum's flat, help at your office, or pack orders for your home bakery all count as illegal deployment, even if it's occasional and even if she offers.
6. How Much Rest Does She Need Each Day?
Living with you doesn't mean she's on duty 24 hours.
She needs enough uninterrupted sleep at night, plus breaks in the day.
If she's up at 3am with the baby or helping Grandma to the toilet, let her nap in the afternoon.
And sleep isn't the same as free time. She also needs a little time to call home or just switch off.
7. Who Pays Her Flight Home?
You do, when her employment ends, whether the contract finished or she resigned early.
The only exception is when she transfers to a new employer.
Don't deduct the airfare from her last salary. That can cost you your security bond.
8. What Insurance Do I Need?
| Requirement | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Medical insurance (inpatient and day surgery) | $60,000 a year |
| Personal accident insurance | $60,000 |
| Security bond (not needed for Malaysian helpers) | $5,000 |
You also pay for her medical check-ups and treatment, and can't deduct any of it from her pay, even if she agrees.
Bonus: Can I Save on the Levy?
The levy is $300 a month for your first helper and $450 for each additional one.
It drops to $60 if your household qualifies for a concession, for example if you have a young child, an elderly parent, or a family member with a disability living with you.
There's also a waiver most employers miss.
When your helper goes overseas for 7 or more days in a row, you can apply to waive the levy for that period. It isn't automatic. Apply after she's back, with her air ticket or boarding pass as proof.
Three weeks home for Hari Raya at the full rate works out to roughly $200 saved.
Final Thoughts
Good intentions don't protect you from penalties.
These rules are the bare minimum for a fair working relationship... and most of them cost nothing to follow.
Renewing maid insurance soon? Searchmaid readers get a discounted rate through our licensed partner.
P.S. Rule 5 is the one that catches the nicest families. "Just help Mum for an hour" can turn into a court case.
