The Evolution of Domestic Helpers in Singapore: From Amahs (traditional caregivers) to Modern Maids

At a Glance

The majie were Cantonese amahs who worked in Singapore homes from the 1930s to 1970s (NLB Infopedia).
Many majie came from Shunde in Guangdong and took a vow never to marry (NLB Infopedia).
The Foreign Domestic Servant Scheme started on 20 May 1978, with a S$10,000 deposit that was halved four months later (NUS ScholarBank thesis).
A weekly rest day for domestic workers began on 1 Jan 2013 (MOM).
From 1 Jan 2023, at least 1 rest day a month cannot be compensated away (MOM).
Singapore had 323,800 migrant domestic workers in June 2026 (MOM).

Friends,

Black and white.
That is how many older Singaporeans remember the amah: white blouse, black trousers, hair in a neat plait or bun.
I only know them from old photos and NLB articles... I would not have lasted one week doing what they did.
Today the helper in your home most likely holds a Work Permit from MOM, and the rules around her job have grown a lot since 1978.
Here is how we got from there to here, with dates and sources.

Who were the amahs and majie in old Singapore?

Amah was the common word for a Chinese female domestic servant (BiblioAsia, NLB, 2017).
Majie were one group of amahs, from Shunde (Shun Tak) in Guangdong. NLB Infopedia notes that all majie were amahs, but not all amahs were majie.
Unlike other amahs, majie took a vow never to marry (NLB Infopedia).
Many were former silk workers from the Pearl River Delta. When the silk trade fell in the 1930s, many left for Hong Kong, Malaya and Singapore (BiblioAsia; NLB Infopedia).
They are remembered for hard work and loyalty to the families they served (BiblioAsia).

A quick note on Samsui women

Samsui women (the red headscarf) were also Cantonese migrants of the same era, but they mostly worked in construction. People mix the two up often. The majie worked inside homes.

Why so many women came

From 1928, British rules put quotas on Chinese male migrants, partly to fix the sex ratio. That left more room for women to come and find work (NLB Infopedia, Samsui women).

When did Singapore start hiring foreign domestic workers?

The majie era ran to about the 1970s (NLB Infopedia).
Around the same time, more Singapore women were joining the workforce, and homes needed help.
Here are the key dates I could verify.

Swipe left or right to see the full table on mobile.

When	What happened	Source
1928	Immigration Restriction Ordinance; quotas later placed on Chinese male migrants	NLB Infopedia
1930s to 1970s	Majie work as amahs in Singapore homes	NLB Infopedia
20 May 1978	Foreign Domestic Servant Scheme starts; employers place a S$10,000 security deposit	NUS ScholarBank thesis
Late 1978	After public unhappiness, the government says the deposit will be halved	NUS ScholarBank thesis
1 Jan 2013	Weekly rest day for helpers with permits issued or renewed from this date	MOM EA Bulletin
1 Jan 2023	At least 1 rest day a month that cannot be compensated away	MOM press release

Sources checked October 2026. The 1978 deposit figures come from an NUS thesis summary, based on government papers and newspapers of the time.

How many migrant domestic workers are in Singapore today?

MOM's own figures show steady growth every year since 2021.

Swipe left or right to see the full table on mobile.

As of	Work Permit (Migrant Domestic Workers)
Dec 2021	246,300
Dec 2022	268,500
Dec 2023	286,300
Dec 2024	301,600
Dec 2025	316,900
Jun 2026	323,800

Source: MOM Foreign Workforce Numbers, checked October 2026. MOM rounds these figures.

What does hiring a helper look like for employers in 2026?

The amah worked on trust and word of mouth.
Today it is a regulated job with clear rules on both sides.

S$5,000

Security bond

Per helper, except Malaysian helpers. You cannot ask her to pay for it (MOM).

1 a week

Rest day

You and your helper agree which day (MOM).

1 a month

Cannot be paid off

At least one rest day a month must be taken, since 1 Jan 2023 (MOM).

Pay her salary within 7 days after each salary period.
She may only work for you, at the address on her Work Permit. Illegal deployment can bring a fine of up to S$10,000.
Monthly levy: S$300, or S$60 with a concession; S$450 for a second helper.
For Filipino helpers, the Philippine minimum salary is S$650.

Levy and salary figures as at October 2026. Always check mom.gov.sg before you hire, as rates change.

Why do Singapore families still need helpers?

Two working parents. The 1978 thesis notes helpers were seen as the answer to the working mother's struggle between job and home. That need is still here.
Care for parents and grandparents. Many helpers now support elderly family members at home.
Kids and housework. School runs, meals, cleaning, the full set.

The black and white samfu is gone.
The job of keeping a home running is still the same... and still worth treating with respect.

Looking for your helper?

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Cheers,
Ray

P.S. The majie kept their hair in one neat plait for decades. I cannot keep one rest-day roster straight without a spreadsheet.