Once she works for you
Your helper is entitled to one rest day per week, on a mutually agreed day. If she agrees to work on a rest day, you must pay her at least one extra day's salary on top of her basic pay, but at least one rest day each month cannot be compensated away at any price. Salary must be paid within 7 days of the end of each salary period, and since 2019 you may not hold her money, bank book or card. Every six months she attends a medical screening (6ME) that you pay for. These rules are set by MOM; the figures on this page were checked against MOM on 15 September 2026.
By APEX Maids Agency Pte. Ltd. · MOM EA Licence 25C3180 · UEN 202547196H. Based in Jurong West and serving households across Singapore. Our website is apexmaids.sg and our phone is 8405 6661.
The rules on this page were checked against the Ministry of Manpower on 15 September 2026. MOM sets them and can change them. If you are reading this much later, confirm on mom.gov.sg or ask us.
Every six months you must send her for a medical screening at a clinic. It covers pregnancy and VDRL every six months, HIV every two years, TB once after two years in Singapore, plus BMI and checks for visible signs of abuse. You pay for it, the clinic submits the results to MOM directly, and you should not be present during the examination. A helper aged 50 or above is exempt and only needs a medical when her work permit is renewed. MOM posts you the form when it is due, and FDW eService shows the dates.
There is no MOM rule against your helper having a boyfriend or a social life on her rest day. Two things are regulated. Marrying a Singapore citizen or permanent resident requires government approval under work pass rules, so if that is on the horizon she should check with MOM first. And pregnancy ends the employment: a pregnant helper is no longer allowed to work in Singapore and returns home, her medical insurance does not cover pregnancy-related costs, and those costs fall to the employer. This is what the six-monthly screening tests for.
MOM sets no rules about phone use or curfews — these are house rules for the two of you to agree, ideally in writing during the first week. Our honest advice from placements: a written weekly routine plus a reasonable phone arrangement works; confiscating phones or imposing a total ban is the fastest way to lose a good helper at transfer time, and it poisons the reference she gives your household to the next candidate.
CCTV in the general areas of your home is your call, with two hard limits: never where she sleeps, changes or bathes, and tell her the cameras are there. Respecting her privacy is part of your obligations for her well-being, and hidden cameras in private areas can become a police matter, not just a MOM one.
Her work permit ties her to your household's domestic work at your registered address. Sending her to clean a relative's home, help at your shop or stall, or take part-time jobs elsewhere is illegal deployment, and it exposes you, not just her, to penalties. Her passport and work permit card are her property; hold them only if she asks you to in writing. If the workload you actually need spans two households, tell us honestly at the brief and we will say whether one placement can do it legally — see how hiring works and what it costs.
One rest day a month cannot be paid away, no matter what both of you agree. That is the rule employers most often get wrong.
Questions
One rest day per week, on a mutually agreed day. She can agree to work on a rest day for at least one extra day's salary, but at least one rest day every month must actually be taken and cannot be compensated away. Checked against MOM on 15 September 2026.
Partially. She may agree to work on a rest day for at least one extra full day of salary on top of her basic pay. But one rest day per month is mandatory and cannot be exchanged for money at any price. MOM enforces this.
Yes. MOM has no rule against a helper having a relationship or a social life on her rest day. Marriage to a Singapore citizen or PR requires government approval, and becoming pregnant means she can no longer work in Singapore, which is what the six-monthly medical screens for.
She will no longer be allowed to work in Singapore and will have to return home. Her medical insurance does not cover pregnancy-related costs; those fall to the employer. The six-monthly medical examination includes a pregnancy test.
Every month, no later than 7 days after the last day of the salary period. If she asks to be paid by bank transfer, you must do so, into her own account. Since 1 January 2019 you may not keep her money, bank book or bank card even if she asks.
A clinic screening every six months covering pregnancy and VDRL, HIV every two years, TB once after two years in Singapore, plus BMI and checks for signs of abuse. The employer pays, the clinic submits results to MOM, and helpers aged 50 and above are exempt.
No. Her work permit only allows domestic work for your household at your registered address. Cleaning a relative's home, helping at your business or taking outside part-time work is illegal deployment and exposes the employer to penalties too.
In general living areas, yes, and you should tell her the cameras are there. Never in areas where she sleeps, changes or bathes. Her privacy is part of the well-being you are responsible for as her employer.
Her passport and work permit card are her property. Keep them only if she asks you to in writing, and hand them back whenever she asks. Since 2019 you are also barred from holding her money, bank book or bank card.
Talk to us
We put duties, rest day arrangements and every cost in writing before you commit, so both sides know the rules from day one. Tell us your household and we will shortlist.
