Written answer to PQ on Fines for Unpermitted Domestic Work Arrangements

NOTICE PAPER NO. 44 OF 2024 FOR THE SITTING ON OR AFTER 23
SEPTEMBER 2025
QUESTION NO. 187 FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

MP: Mr Shawn Loh

To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) for each year from 2020 to date, what is the average fine imposed on (i) migrant domestic workers who have provided unpermitted domestic services to multiple households and (ii) unofficial employers of such services, respectively; and (b) whether the Ministry considers income levels of such workers when calibrating the levels of fines to achieve punitive and deterrent objectives.

Answer:

1. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) considers various factors when determining the appropriate enforcement actions to take, including the need for both punitive and deterrent effects. In the majority of cases where Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs) worked illegally for households or commercial entities for short duration on few occasions, warnings were issued to both the illegal employers and MDWs.

2. Based on factors of each case such as the duration of illegal employment, fines would be issued. For the period 2020 to 2024, 66 illegal employers were fined between $1,000 and $12,000 by MOM, with the average fine being $3,100. 2 MDWs were fined $2,000 and $4,000 respectively.

3. As for the more egregious cases that were prosecuted in Court, 12 illegal employers and 19 MDWs were convicted and fined an average of $8,800 and $5,000 respectively. Court-imposed fines are determined by the Courts' assessment of the individual's liability and the circumstances of each case.