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Written Answer by Mrs Josephine Teo Minister for Manpower to PQ on expanding exceptions to concessions for levies on foreign domestic workers

Employment practices Foreign manpower

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1967 FOR THE SITTING ON 03 FEBRUARY 2020

 

QUESTION NO. 1566 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

 

MP: Mr Christopher De Souza

 

To ask the Minister for Manpower whether the Ministry will consider expanding exceptions to concessions for levies on foreign domestic workers to help caregivers cope with situations where a disabled family member requires at least two persons to carry out any activities of daily living.

 

Answer:

 

  1. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) recognises that there could be instances where families with caregiving duties would require two foreign domestic workers (FDW) to help care for persons with disabilities. Hence, on a case-by-case basis, the Ministry approves the work permit applications of up to two FDWs for one care recipient. However, each care recipient is eligible for the concessionary levy of $60 per month for only one FDW. This is to be fair to all employers whose caregiving needs vary.

  2. The Government provides further support for households who may need help to defray caregiving costs. For example, the Ministry of Health provides a Home Caregiving Grant (HCG), which is a monthly cash payout of $200 to defray the cost of caregiving for individuals with permanent moderate disability. The HCG payout can be used flexibly for different caregiving expenses, including the cost of hiring an FDW. FDW employers who wish to train their FDWs in caregiving can also tap the Caregivers Training Grant which is an annual training subsidy of $200 for each care recipient.

  3. The Government will continue to review and improve the range of home-based support measures to meet the needs of persons with disabilities and their caregivers.