Singapore Expats

Hi, starting this thread to see if expat applications are getting approved for hiring FDW.

Do share your approvals or rejections, any queries here. Cheers

I think transfers of expat to expat are going through but not Sinkie to expat transfers... Our condo group WA has a lot of messages on this topic and two themes stand out:

1. No one is releasing maids (i.e. for transfer or to go back home). If you find a maid available for transfer I would wonder why.... No new ones coming obviously.
2. What part time services are out there seem to be booked up solid (which is surprising given the uptick in unemployment).
3. Singaporeans are NOT happy that expats may be paying more to get FDW and are happy that MOM appears to have stepped in to fix stop this temporarily.

PNGMK wrote: ↑

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 10:28 am

1. No one is releasing maids (i.e. for transfer or to go back home). If you find a maid available for transfer I would wonder why.... No new ones coming obviously.

Quite a few expats have left which obviously frees up maids.

The maids I know that were looking and didn't go home, have all found places with expats.

bgd wrote: ↑

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 12:23 pm

PNGMK wrote: ↑

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 10:28 am

1. No one is releasing maids (i.e. for transfer or to go back home). If you find a maid available for transfer I would wonder why.... No new ones coming obviously.

Quite a few expats have left which obviously frees up maids.

The maids I know that were looking and didn't go home, have all found places with expats.

True - transfers from expat to expat is probably fine. The WA group I was referring to was focused on the local demand which has some issues.

I see, didn't know transfers from expat to expat are happening.
Will consider this when looking for a new helper.

Any insights or success for expat families expecting a new born?

It seems many employers are giving helpers higher pay to retain them as helpers are getting competing offers from expats. Is this okay with MOM?

As an employee do you negotiate for a higher salary if you think you a) deserve it; or b) think you can get it? Don't forget, it IS an employee/employer relationship. If you have been working for an SME for a couple of years and you get a better offer from an MNC what would you do? Weigh the options and leave if the new employer looks better for your bottom line/future earnings.

I know of an expat whose maid transfer to a new incoming employer from HK was approved as a 'special case'. I don't think MOM is good with transfers from locals to expats.

sunbox wrote: ↑

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 11:29 am

It seems many employers are giving helpers higher pay to retain them as helpers are getting competing offers from expats. Is this okay with MOM?

Isn't that how normal jobmarkerts work or at least should work? Good people deserve a higher pay or they'll take a hike and move for a better opportunity. Now that the entry for new cheap fresh from village FDW is blocked maybe people here start to realise it and value their helpers a bit more.

If they also start to treat them better that would be added bonus.

ProvenPracticalFlexible wrote: ↑

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 6:08 pm

sunbox wrote: ↑

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 11:29 am

It seems many employers are giving helpers higher pay to retain them as helpers are getting competing offers from expats. Is this okay with MOM?

Isn't that how normal jobmarkerts work or at least should work? Good people deserve a higher pay or they'll take a hike and move for a better opportunity. Now that the entry for new cheap fresh from village FDW is blocked maybe people here start to realise it and value their helpers a bit more.

If they also start to treat them better that would be added bonus.

There is a shortage of FDW for the expats so the demand is higher so the price goes up. I am afraid nothing to do with the quality of their work and whether they deserve a hike or are good people.