Maids are not covered by the Employment Act because it is not practical to regulate specific aspects of domestic work, such as hours of work and work on public holidays.
However, we encourage you to sign an employment contract with your maid to avoid disputes.
Before your maid starts working for you, you must also sign a safety agreement with her.
Employment contract
You and your maid must mutually agree all the terms and conditions in your employment contract.
As an employer, you should cover all of the following:
- Salary
- Placement loan
- Number of rest days per month
- Compensation in lieu of rest day
- Notice period
- Compensation in lieu of termination period
You can get your employment agency to draft an employment contract for you and your maid.
Terminating an employment contract
Early termination is allowed to be flexible for you and your maid, as circumstances may change.
Either you or your maid can terminate the employment contract by giving the notice period stated in the employment contract. If the notice period cannot be given, the party terminating the employment should pay salary in lieu of notice. Notice period can be waived by mutual consent.
Safety agreement
When you hire a first-time or transfer maid, your employment agency must arrange for you and her to sign a safety agreement.
The aim of the agreement is to ensure that both of you understand MOM’s restrictions for cleaning the exterior of windows.
You do not need to sign a safety agreement if you are renewing your existing maid’s contract.
When to sign
Refer to the table for when you must sign the safety agreement:
| If your maid is | Sign the agreement |
| A first-time maid | After the maid has attended the Settling-In Programme and before she starts working at your home. |
| A transfer maid | Before the maid is deployed to you. |
What it covers
The safety agreement:
- Lists the restrictions on cleaning the exterior of windows.
- States that your requirements for cleaning windows will comply with MOM regulations.
- Includes the maid’s acknowledgement of your requirement on window cleaning.
To make sure that your maid understands the agreement completely, the copy she signs will be in her native language.
The agreement will be signed by three parties: you, the employment agency and the maid. You must each keep a copy of the agreement.