Maid Moonlighting

[simmi.george]

Our current maid is with us from Jan 2020. In March 2020 itself, she started asking permission for part-time jobs and we declined her request saying it totally illegal for you to take any part-time job and we cannot give permission for the same. She has been in Singapore for 10years plus and has a major friend circle who gives her part-time job info and contacts. Fast forward this year she asked for early release in June end before the 2-year contract finishes in December. We agreed to transfer by July end. Now again she is asking permission for part-time jobs around our house and of course, we declined it (many times now). I am scared what if she is moonlighting when am in the office (I WFH Mon-Wed and Thurs-Fri work from office). What if she gets caught and she puts the name that we gave permission to. We have sternly told her she is not supposed to do any other part-time work. So troublesome there is no peace of mind.....

[x9200]

Our current maid is with us from Jan 2020. In March 2020 itself, she started asking permission for part-time jobs and we declined her request saying it totally illegal for you to take any part-time job and we cannot give permission for the same. She has been in Singapore for 10years plus and has a major friend circle who gives her part-time job info and contacts. Fast forward this year she asked for early release in June end before the 2-year contract finishes in December. We agreed to transfer by July end. Now again she is asking permission for part-time jobs around our house and of course, we declined it (many times now). I am scared what if she is moonlighting when am in the office (I WFH Mon-Wed and Thurs-Fri work from office). What if she gets caught and she puts the name that we gave permission to. We have sternly told her she is not supposed to do any other part-time work. So troublesome there is no peace of mind.....

Put it on paper and ask her to sign it. If she refuses give her a choice either she acknowledges, it was communicated to her or you would ask MOM to speak to her.

[Lisafuller]

Agreed. What’s important is you get the agreement in writing, to remove yourself of any responsibility.

[PNGMK]

You should release her immediately and send her home. The liability here is massive in these current times. What is the bastardo stupido gets Covid19 while moonlighting? Your EP / Job / lifestyle will disppear quicker than a beer in front of SMS.

[therat]

quote from channelnewasia. (Not sure is there any concern posting link)
Subject: Should I worry if my helper is doing outside work?

It can also have serious consequences, as the Manpower Ministry makes it clear that foreign domestic workers here must work only for their designated employer according to the terms of the work permit.

If convicted of breaching this, a worker can be fined up to S$20,000 or jailed for two years or both. Her work permit will be revoked, after which she will be sent home and barred from working in Singapore.

Her employer can also be fined up to S$10,000 and barred from hiring another foreign domestic worker.

[therat]

quote from https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-r ... -moonlight

FDWs not allowed to ‘moonlight’
- Lianhe Zaobao, 14 March 2012

We refer to Lian Xia’s questions regarding the weekly rest day for foreign domestic workers (FDWs) (ZB, 13 Mar).

FDWs are not allowed to work for anyone except her employer at all times, including their rest days. According to the Work Permit Conditions, FDWs can only work for the employer specified on their work permits. An FDW is deemed to be moonlighting if she holds a second job besides working for her employer, including being self-employed. FDWs who moonlight may be fined up to $5,000, or jailed up to 12 months, or both.

Since January 2010, MOM has already removed employers’ liability if the FDW breaches Work Permit conditions that relate to her own behaviour. MOM does not forfeit employers’ security bonds if the FDW violates her own Work Permit conditions, for instance if she moonlights. In reality, MOM forfeits very few security bonds each year. We are currently reviewing the employers’ obligations for medical and repatriation costs for exceptional circumstances that they have little or no control over.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) had consulted employers of foreign domestic workers (FDWs) and other key stakeholders during our extensive feedback and consultation exercise on the review of the FDW management framework since June 2011. We incorporated some of these suggestions in the announced proposal on weekly rest days for FDWs, including the flexibility of mutually agreeing when the rest day should fall on, or compensation with a day’s wage.