- Your helper is entitled to 1 rest day every week
- Since 1 January 2023, at least 1 rest day a month must be taken and can't be paid off
- Each other rest day she works earns her at least 1 day's pay: monthly salary ÷ 26
- A rest day can be 1 full day or 2 half days, and can be deferred by up to 1 month
- You must give her 3 meals a day and pay all her medical costs, including six-monthly medical exams
Friends, I'll admit it.
The first time our helper went out on a Sunday, I spent the whole day wondering how a house can get so messy in so few hours.
She came back smiling, with photos of a picnic at East Coast Park.
That rest day was good for her... and honestly, Monday went better for all of us too. Here's what the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) requires, and how to make it work at home.
How Many Rest Days Does a Maid Get in Singapore?
One rest day every week.
You and your helper must agree together on which day of the week it falls.
Put the agreement in writing. It saves a lot of "but I thought..." later on.
Can I Pay My Helper Instead of Giving a Rest Day?
Partly. MOM splits her rest days into two kinds.
Employers who don't provide the mandatory rest day may face enforcement action from MOM.
How Do I Calculate Pay for a Rest Day She Works?
Divide her monthly salary by 26, whatever the number of days in the month.
Here's MOM's own worked example, for a helper earning $650 who takes 1 rest day a month:
Swipe left or right to see the full table on mobile.
| Item | Month with 4 Sundays | Month with 5 Sundays |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day's salary | $650 ÷ 26 = $25 | $650 ÷ 26 = $25 |
| Rest days she works | 3 | 4 |
| Extra pay | $25 × 3 = $75 | $25 × 4 = $100 |
| You pay | $725 | $750 |
Pay the extra together with that month's salary, and note it in her salary record.
Can the Rest Day Be Split or Moved?
Yes. MOM allows some flexibility:
- She can take it as 1 full day or 2 half days.
- She may choose to spend it at home. She just doesn't work.
- If she can't take it one month, it can be deferred by up to 1 month, so she takes it by the end of the next month.
- After you discuss it with her, update her number of rest days in FDW eService.
Questions on rest day arrangements can go to MOM through its online feedback form.
Who Looks After My Family on Her Rest Day?
This is the real worry for families caring for young kids or elderly parents.
MOM's rest day guide for employers suggests planning ahead:
What Can My Helper Do on Her Day Off?
Whatever she likes. Some helpers meet friends or go to church. Others sleep in.
Many also pick up skills. Two places to point her to:
- Aidha runs financial literacy courses for domestic workers.
- FAST (Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Training) runs courses and well-being programmes.
What Else Must I Provide for Her Well-Being?
Rest days are one part. MOM also lists these duties:
Swipe left or right to see the full table on mobile.
| Area | What MOM requires |
|---|---|
| Food | 3 meals a day. Respect religious or dietary limits, and don't force food she isn't used to. |
| Medical | All medical costs, including hospitalisation and six-monthly medical exams, plus medical and personal accident insurance. Give her rest after vaccinations. |
| Sleeping area | Ventilated (a fan if needed), sheltered from sun, rain and wind, and away from dangerous equipment. At minimum a mattress, pillow, blanket and toiletries. |
| Privacy | A separate room if possible. She must never share a room with an adult male or teenage boy. |
| Cameras | Tell her where any cameras are. None where she sleeps, changes or bathes. |
How Can I Help a New Helper Settle In?
A helper new to Singapore, especially from a rural area, may need time to get used to:
- Modern household appliances
- Your way of caring for children
- Your language
- Living in a high-rise flat
Spend time showing her around in the first weeks. Patience here pays back for years.
She may feel homesick too. Help her stay in touch with her family, and make her feel part of the household.
Final Thoughts
A rested helper is a happier, steadier helper.
Agree on the day, write it down, pay fairly for any rest day she works... and enjoy your own Sunday picnic too.
P.S. On her first rest day I tried to do the laundry myself. She came home and quietly rewashed half of it. Rest days are for her... and for us to learn some humility.
