At a Glance
- Most problems with a new Filipino helper come from unclear expectations. Write the job scope and house rules down in week one.
- The Philippines' DMW sets a minimum salary of US$500 a month for Filipino domestic workers, and the MWO Singapore contract states a minimum of S$650 a month. Singapore itself has no minimum wage for helpers.
- Contracts for Filipino helpers go through the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Singapore, which used to be called POLO.
- Under MOM rules, a weekly rest day is a must. If she agrees to work on some rest days, pay her or give a replacement day, but at least 1 rest day a month cannot be compensated this way.
- Short, calm feedback given often works better than a long talk once things have gone wrong.
What should I set up before my Filipino helper starts?
Treat a new helper the way you would treat any new hire. She doesn't know your home yet, so the first few weeks are mostly about learning it.
Written job scope
Cover cooking, cleaning, childcare and eldercare, and say which of these comes first.
Cover cooking, cleaning, childcare and eldercare, and say which of these comes first.
Daily routine
Give her a simple timetable for the first month. You can loosen it once she settles in.
Give her a simple timetable for the first month. You can loosen it once she settles in.
House rules
Cover phone use, visitors, curfew on rest days and food. Make the rules reasonable and explain them once, clearly.
Cover phone use, visitors, curfew on rest days and food. Make the rules reasonable and explain them once, clearly.
What Philippine contract rules apply when hiring a Filipino helper?
| Rule | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| DMW minimum salary | US$500 a month. The MWO Singapore contract states a minimum monthly salary of S$650. |
| MWO (formerly POLO) verification | The employment contract has to be verified by the MWO in Singapore. Most agencies handle this step for you. |
| Home leave | The MWO contract sets paid leave each year, or paid home leave every contract renewal with a free round-trip ticket home. MWO Singapore encourages at least 15 days of paid home leave every two years, or 7 days each year. Check the exact terms on your copy. |
| Placement fees | Under the MWO employer undertaking, recruitment and deployment costs, including Singapore agency placement fees, cannot be charged to or recovered from your helper. |
Rules can change, so confirm the current terms with your agency or the MWO before you sign.
How do I communicate clearly with my helper?
- Keep instructions short and show her the task once yourself.
- Ask her to tell you the instruction back in her own words. Don't just ask "Understand?"
- Write down tasks you want done the same way every time, like laundry settings or medication times.
- Set aside a few minutes each week where she can raise concerns without feeling awkward about it.
How should I handle rest days and homesickness?
- MOM requires a weekly rest day. If she agrees to work on a rest day, pay her for that day or give her another day off in its place. At least 1 rest day a month must be taken and cannot be compensated.
- Agree on rest-day plans and the curfew early so nobody is caught off guard.
- Living away from family is hard. Reasonable phone time in the evenings often helps her settle.
How do I give feedback without hurting the working relationship?
Be specific
Name the task and how you want it done. Comments about her attitude in general don't give her anything to act on.
Name the task and how you want it done. Comments about her attitude in general don't give her anything to act on.
Be private
Correct her one-to-one, not in front of guests or the children.
Correct her one-to-one, not in front of guests or the children.
Notice the good
When she gets something right, say so. She'll know what to keep doing.
When she gets something right, say so. She'll know what to keep doing.
If a problem keeps happening, talk to your agency early. Good agencies offer post-placement support. Curious why so many families choose Filipino helpers? Read why Filipino maids are so popular in Singapore.
Find the right helper for your home
Browse verified helper profiles on SearchMaid and filter by experience, skills and nationality.
Browse SearchmaidP.S. A one-page list of house rules on the fridge can save you weeks of mixed signals.
