Employment agencies must refund service fees if a migrant domestic worker’s employment ends early

We refer to Mr Tan Chee Seng’s letter, “Who regulates the maid agency?” (13 June). The Ministry of Manpower is in touch with him to follow up on his case.

Employment agencies (EAs) must offer employers of migrant domestic workers (MDW) a refund of at least 50% of the service fees charged, if the MDW’s employment ends within the first six months and other refund conditions are met. This promotes greater accountability among EAs in ensuring suitable matches between MDWs and employers. Employers should notify the EA of the reason for termination within a reasonable timeframe before requesting a refund. EAs that do not comply with the refund requirement may face enforcement action under the Employment Agencies Act.

If an MDW’s employment ends prematurely with an outstanding placement loan, employers should refer to their EA contract which specifies the circumstances for loan refunds. For contractual disputes, employers can seek mediation assistance from the Association of Employment Agencies (Singapore). If an agreement cannot be reached, employers should consider consulting the Small Claims Tribunal.

Employers are required to cover the repatriation costs upon termination of contract. This prevents a situation where MDWs are left stranded in Singapore without the means to return home.

Liang Yahui 
Director, Operations and Licensing
Foreign Manpower Management Division
Ministry of Manpower

[Letter] ZB: Who regulates the maid agency? (13 June 2025)

今年4月我通过中介公司聘请女佣，由于前一位女佣表现不理想被退回，公司以“一换一”方式安排新女佣，我付了2550元的中介费。

没有料到，新女佣工作不到一个月，竟然向大耳窿借钱，导致我一家不断受到骚扰，最终不得不报警处理。在希望退还该女佣并聘请另一人选时，中介公司却以“已报案”为由，不退还我预先支付的一个半月女佣工资。

女佣正式上岗前，我预先为她支付了三个月薪资，而今若要重新请人，又必须再支付逾2000元中介费用。短短一个半月，我已支出超过5000元，中介公司对此事件完全置身事外，丝毫未体现出应有的责任担当。

更令人不解的是，女佣出事后，所有责任竟推到我们雇主身上。不但无法获得合理补偿，还必须自行承担机票费用送她回国，甚至要自行上网注销她的工作准证。

我恳请有关政府部门能严查此类不负责任的中介公司，若不是因家中有老人和年幼孩子，我真心希望永远不再请女佣。

陈志成