Faqs

Why should you engage Asia Employment Agency?

Asia has thirty years of experience when it comes to sourcing for quality Foreign Domestic Workers (FDW) in Asia. We work closely with our affiliates in the region to put every FDW through a stringent selection process before shortlisting them.

Who can hire a Foreign Domestic Worker?

All Singapore citizens, Permanent Residents and expatriates who hold a valid employment or work pass may hire an FDW. You are required to have a valid reason to employ an FDW to work at your own residence. Employers who are expatriates also need to declare that their family members are living with them at the point of application. All applications are subject to the approval of the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

 

What is the current levy?

Employers are required to pay a monthly levy of S$265 (normal) or S$120 (concessionary). Levy charges begin on the second day after the FDW arrives in Singapore, inclusive of the day of arrival. Levy payments can only be made via GIRO and the FDW’s Work Permit (WP) will be cancelled if the levy is not duly paid. You can view your levy bills online using the Internet Foreign Worker Levy Billing System with your SingPass.

 

What are the criteria for levy concessions?

An employer is eligible for a levy concession for each FDW – of up to two FDWs per household – if he or she fulfills the conditions stipulated by MOM. In general, a household that has a child who is a Singaporean Citizen below 12 years of age or an elderly individual (employer/spouse/parent/parent-in-law/grandparent/gandparent-in-law) who is a Singaporean Citizen aged 65 years and above would qualify for the concession. An employer who has a person with disability in the household would also qualify. Please contact us for further details.

 

What are the key differences between an Indonesian FDW and a Filipino FDW in terms of service?

For Filipino FDWs:

  • Their command of English are generally good.
  • Most of them are Catholics or Christians.
  • Generally they require at least a day off per month, although some may work without off days if compensated by a higher salary.

For Indonesian FDWs:

  • They speak Bahasa Indonesia, which is quite similar to the Malay language used here in Singapore. Some of them who are college graduates or had worked in Singapore before, so they would be able to speak and understand simple English.
  • Most of them are Muslims and do not eat pork. However most of them would not mind handling pork during their course of work if so required.
  • Generally they are agreeable to work without off days in lieu of a compensation of salary.

What are the monthly salary ranges for Indonesian and Filipino FDWs?

For Indonesian FDWs, their monthly salaries range from S$450 to S$600 depending on their working experiences and capabilities. For Filipino FDWs, their monthly salaries range from S$500 to $600 depending on their working experiences and capabilities.

 

How tight is your diligent process when selecting the maids for employment in Singapore?

Our FDWs are personally interviewed by our staff and put through a stringent screening process before they are selected for employment in Singapore. The FDWs are first recruited by our provincial recruiters, then transported to our Training Centres. There, only applicants who are considered suitable by the standards set by the Ministry of Manpower in Singapore (MOM) will be shortlisted and interviewed. Applicants must further meet the preliminary physical, mental and attitude requirements set by our agents before they can proceed for the second round selection.

Selected FDWs will then go through the training programmes in the designated training centres for approximately 1 month. Those with undesirable work attitudes and poor learning capabilities will then be disqualified. Essentially, only good candidates are finally offered a job in Singapore.

 

What is Asia’s position on immediate FDW placement arising from FDW transfers?

We will do our best to provide a smooth and convenient “1-in-1-out” service to employers as we understand the need for immediate replacements after their existing FDW is transferred. We will do our utmost to match the timing whilst at the same time abide by MOM’s regulations and formalities.

 

Can I interview the FDWs even if they are not in Singapore?

Yes. At Asia, we offer webcam and/or telephone interviews for a choice of an FDW who is not in Singapore so as to facilitate the selection. Due to the inaccessibility of some remote centres, prior notice is required for arrangements of such interviews.

 

What happens if the FDW I employ from Asia does not match up to my expectations?

Inevitably, some qualified FDWs may not be found to be suitable for employers due to personality or incompatibility issues. In such instances, we do provide counseling services to the FDWs and assistance to the employers. After which, if the existing FDW needs to be transferred, we will provide a replacement as conveniently and as quickly as possible.

 

How many transfers am I entitled to and what are the penalties?

We offer several service packages comprising of different FDWs replacement entitlements and fees. We can customise the service package as required if necessary.
 

What gives Asia the edge over other agencies in Singapore?

At Asia, we are committed to providing personalised service to our customers before and after the FDW’s engagement. We believe in making a perfect match for both our employers and our FDWs and will do our utmost to achieve this.

Do I have to pay an advance, and would the advance be refundable in the event the FDW is returned?

 We have a refund policy on the balance of the advance payment in the event the FDW is returned and successfully transferred to a new employer. This policy is conditional upon the employers not breaching any of the clauses stated in the service agreement with the agency.
 

What are the modes of payment accepted for the transactions?

We accept cash, Nets and cheque payments.

 
 

What after-sales service can I expect from Asia?

We value our customers. At Asia, we are committed to providing excellent before- and after-sales service to all of our customers. We provide loyalty programmes and a full-range of services that includes counseling of the FDW, renewal of work permit and passports, home-leave arrangements, endorsement of embassy documents, replacement of FDWs, skill upgrading courses, arrangement of air-tickets, and repatriation of the FDWs upon completion of their contracts. We also provide counselling services for your FDW.

 
 

How does the new FDW insurance policy affect a customer like me?

The employers are required to take care of their FDW medical expenses in Singapore. Therefore, all FDWs need to be covered with adequate insurance. This is compulsory before a work permit is issued by MOM. The new insurance policy requires the FDW to be covered with a minimum sum of S$15,000 per year for hospitalisation claims. The sum is in line with the new hospitalisation subsidy regulation. It is also compulsory for employers to take up a Personal Accident Insurance policy for their FDWs before they can employ him or her. The minimum sum assured should be S$40,000. Nevertheless, we would advise employers to upgrade the FDW insurance policy to an even better coverage to meet higher-than-expected bills arising from the FDW hospitalisation expenses.

 

Can I repatriate the FDW without going through the agency?

Yes, the employer can repatriate the FDW without going through the agency as long as such action does not breach any of the clauses in the service agreement between the employer and the agency. However, we would strongly advise the employer to repatriate the said FDW via our agency, so that we may discharge your responsibilities (if any) to protect your interests