FDW Healthcare in Singapore

Hiring a domestic helper comes with a lot of responsibilities – one of them being medical care. Managing a foreign domestic worker can be challenging in itself, which is why employers need to be aware of these and other obligations before hiring a maid. For some employers, part-time cleaning services suffice (this option comes with less responsibilities).

What are the responsibilities of employers?

Employers hiring full-time maids in Singapore should be aware that they are responsible for the medical expenses incurred by their maids. Foreign domestic workers are not covered by the Work Injury Compensation Act since they live and work at the same house as their employing family. To offset some liability, employers must buy medical and personal accident insurance for their foreign maid. The insurances should cover at least S$15,000 and $40,000 of the costs per year respectively.

In the unfortunate case that your maid is very ill, the costs of medical treatment could be higher than the insured amount, especially in the case of prolonged hospitalisation or extended outpatient treatment. The Ministry of Manpower in Singapore says this is rarely the case. However, you can consider buying a more comprehensive policy to make sure you don’t end up with steep medical bills.

In Singapore, employers cannot deduct any costs related to medical care from their maid’s salary, even if she agrees. A domestic helper can also not co-pay for any medical treatment. In addition, employers must send their helpers for a medical examination every six months, as per employment conditions. These costs should be fully covered by the employer.

Discussing medical health with your helper

The best approach to health and safety is to be proactive. Discuss the various safety situations in Singapore and make sure that your helper is able to eat and live healthily. Ensure safe working conditions, which includes not requiring your maid to clean the exteriors of windows in certain instances, while reminding her about safety around the house (such as the need to always turn off the gas).

When it comes to medical care, early detection is important. Let your maid know that you do not mind if she goes see a doctor if she feels unwell. An illness that is ignored repeatedly can lead to more complicated and expensive treatments. In addition, give your domestic helper enough rest. Everyone needs their sleep to be productive and to stay healthy. Ensure that she sleeps at least eight hours a day and has sufficient rest time at night, and allow her to take her weekly day off.

What happens if a helper fails the medical exam

The Ministry of Manpower requires foreign domestic workers to undergo a medical checkup every six months. Helpers are screened for pregnancy, HIV, venereal diseases and tuberculosis. A maid must take the first exam within two weeks of her employment in Singapore. If she was transferred, her previous employer should have sent her to have a checkup prior to the transfer. If you have forgotten when her next checkup is due, you can easily check online, but you should receive a notification letter when your maid is due for her next medical exam.

If your maid tests positive for one or more components of the medical checkup, her work permit will be revoked and employment ceased. The maid needs to be repatriated from Singapore and the employer will be responsible for any related costs.

Failure to cover medical costs

If an employer in Singapore does not pay for the medical costs of their hired worker, the relevant embassy may step in. They can liaise directly with the MOM in order to secure legal and medical aid. Employers can be prosecuted and will be liable to a fine of $10,000, and imprisonment of up to 12 months, besides having to settle the medical fees.

Depending on the severity of the illness, a helper may prefer to be with her own family as she recovers, rather than staying in Singapore. However, an employer should never send her worker on home leave to avoid having to pay for medical costs. In addition, hiring a new helper for your family can cost a lot in agency fees. And the government of Singapore may blacklist you as well for unethical practices, meaning you will no longer be able to hire maids.