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Many expats choose to take advantage of the opportunity to have a live in “helper” during their stay in Singapore. Helpers generally come from around the South East Asian region – Indonesia, Philippines and Sri Lanka are the most common – and are hired to assist with general housework, cooking and childcare. Salaries vary according the country of origin of your helper and their experience; helpers from the Philippines are usually the highest paid (a reflection of their superior English language ability) with starting salaries averaging $350-$450 a month. Individual differences in earnings vary according to the helper’s experience. On top of this salary the employer is obliged to pay a monthly levy to the Singapore Government – this is currently set at approximately S$250.00.
Many agencies exist throughout the island but for many the preferred way to find a reliable, trustworthy helper is by word of mouth. Most expat families leaving Singapore will try to secure a good replacement family for their helper; it is therefore worth keeping an eye out on club and expat supermarket notice boards – or ask us, we often are the first to hear if a family is leaving and is looking to place their much loved helper elsewhere. If you have not employed a domestic helper before we suggest you visit the Ministry of Manpower site for further detailed information on the obligations and responsibilities of employers.
The easiest way to arrange all the necessary documentation or assist with finding a helper is to go to a reliable agency. We have listed some below.
