Terminating a maid’s contract must be handled with care. You must comply with the Ministry of Manpower regulations and end the working relationship properly and respectfully.
Our guide to terminating a maid’s contract in Singapore will help you go through the process step-by-step.
Here’s how to terminate a maid contract in Singapore
1. Communicate with Your Maid
Have a private and respectful conversation with your maid about the contract termination. Be honest about it and give her time to process the decision.
If the decision is unilateral, you’re required to provide her with proper notice. If the decision is mutual, document the agreement to ensure a smooth process.
2. Cancel the Work Permit
When you terminate a maid’s contract, you must cancel her work permit within one week of the last day of work. To cancel the work permit, log in to the Ministry of Manpower FDW eService. Fill out the form and print the Special Pass.
Give the Special Pass to the maid. It will allow the maid to stay in Singapore before her departure date. The maid will also need to show it to the immigration officer when she departs.
Keep in mind that upon cancellation of a maid’s work permit, she will not be allowed to work even while waiting to depart from Singapore. So make sure that she departs on schedule.
3. Inform the Maid Agency
If the maid was hired through an agency, consider informing them of the situation. The agency can help handle necessary paperwork, manage repatriation logistics, and arrange for a transfer. Some agencies also provide mediation services in case of disputes.
4. Provide a Reference
If the maid is willing to continue working in Singapore and you’re satisfied with her work, but have to terminate the contract for unrelated reasons, you can provide a reference to help her secure her next job if she is staying in Singapore. This is optional, but a much-appreciated gesture.
5. Arrange Repatriation
The next part of our guide to terminating a maid’s contract in Singapore is to arrange repatriation. If the maid is not transferring, as an employer you’re responsible for arranging her repatriation and covering the full costs of the process.
You’re obliged to book the maid’s flight back to her home country, cover the airfare cost, and ensure the maid departs Singapore promptly. Keep in mind that you don’t need to do this alone. A maid agency can help make the process simpler.
Before buying tickets, make sure that both of you agree on transit arrangements and the amount of allowance so she can sustain herself during the transit.
6. Fulfill Contractual Obligations
Before the maid’s departure or transfer, make sure that you settle all financial matters and resolve all outstanding employment issues, if any.
7. Security Bond Discharge
The final part of our guide to terminating a maid’s contract in Singapore is about the security bond. As an employer, you are obliged to purchase a $5,000 security bond when you hire a maid. If all conditions are met and the maid has departed from Singapore, the security bond will be discharged.
The bond will be discharged within 2 weeks after the maid’s departure. However, if laws or Work Permit conditions are breached, it will be forfeited.
FAQs Terminate a Maid Contract in Singapore
What is the very first step I should take when terminating my maid’s contract?
The first step is to have a private and respectful conversation with your maid. You should be honest about the reasons for the termination and give her adequate notice as required, or document the mutual agreement if the decision is made together.
What do I need to do about my maid’s Work Permit?
You must cancel her Work Permit through the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) online portal within one week of her last day of employment. After cancellation, you need to print the Special Pass and give it to her, which allows her to stay in Singapore legally until her departure.
Am I responsible for my maid’s flight ticket back home?
Yes. If your maid is not transferring to another employer, you are legally responsible for arranging and paying the full cost of her repatriation, which includes her airfare back to her home country.
Conclusion
And that’s our guide to terminating a maid’s contract in Singapore. While the process is straightforward, it requires planning, especially when it comes to cancelling the work permit and repatriation.
Make sure that you’re prepared before starting the process so that it will go smoothly.
If you need help, you can contact a recommended maid agency. Here at Jayamaids, a maid agency in Singapore with good reviews, we offer various services, which include work permit cancellation and air ticket arrangement.
We provide families with maids based on their unique needs. For more information about our services, contact Jayamaids, your trusted maid agency in Hougang.
