When your domestic helper wants to stay out on their rest day, it raises a common question among employers in Singapore.
While your helper is entitled to a consecutive 24-hour rest day, their staying out overnight is a different issue altogether.
Even when employers allow their helper to stay out, a prior notification to MOM is required to allow for such an arrangement.
Current regulations clearly show that the MOM has a negative stance towards stay out arrangements in Singapore.
The intention is simply that each domestic helper is employer to help a specific household.
Even her work is legally permitted to that household only, where any exceptional arrangements would require permission from the MOM.
Legal and Personal Considerations for Employers
In Singapore, the legal definition of “reside” can be blurry.
Sometimes, the maid wants to stay out late into the night and may only be back the next morning.
To avoid confusion, ensure you understand the rules and discuss arrangements with your helper.
Agree on what time they will be back the next day and ask them to let you know where they’re going, so you feel more at ease.
Mixed Feelings On The Stay Out Restrictions In Singapore
Many employers believe that humans should have the freedom to decide where they want to go and do.
That means that so long the maids carry out their work obligations, it is none of their concern what they want to do or be at outside work hours.
Yet, employers cannot simply let domestic helpers stay out at their own whim.
Such lack of freedoms and flexibility is a natural trade off with all these regulations, and may put a negative spotlight on the living conditions of domestic helpers in Singapore.
Others think that such controls is effective in preventing moonlighting behaviour.
As these domestic helpers command such a low wage in a high cost of living city like Singapore, the maids may be tempted to work other jobs during their rest hours.
Furthermore, loosening such controls could lead to labour exploiting practices where the employer deploys the helper to work non-domestic jobs.
The Importance of Domestic Helpers in Singaporean Households
With almost 300,000 foreign domestic helpers in Singapore as of 2023, the city’s reliance on this group for caregiving and household chores cannot be understated.
For families with young children, a full-time job, and a household to run, having a helper is a necessity.
Many familes cannot imagine life without their helper, who sacrifices a lot to work for Singaporean families, including missing important family events and key moments.
The Great Reset in Households and Work
The pandemic has brought about a shift in the balance of power between employers and employees, including MDWs.
With workers demanding higher pay, better perks, and a better work-life balance, employers should review their relationship with MDWs.
Perhaps it’s time to consider flexibility, like allowing helpers to have weekends off or stay out overnight, and providing them with a sense of independence.
Laws can still be implemented and enforce to prevent abusive hiring practices such as illegal deployment of domestic helpers in other work areas.
Live-Out Arrangements: A Possible Solution
There are a small number of cases of domestic helpers who had a “live-out” arrangement with their employers.
(Note: The arrangement was first agreed upon with the MOM.)
They went to work like any employee, completed tasks, and then went home to their rented apartments.
While this arrangement has its downsides, it could make for healthier relationships between employers and helpers.
Add to the fact that our homes are small and getting smaller, an maid who has her own place might ease the squeeze at home.
Furthermore, when a maid is not constantly around at the home, her work may be more appreciated.
Additionally, her living habits will be less likely in conflict with the employer and their family’s lifestyle.
Is Staying Out The Next Step For Domestic Helpers?
Domestic workers too have become more educated and prefer a working arrangement that suits them.
There are merits to a live-out arrangement for families who need help but also value their privacy, and perhaps even want to instil a sense of independence in their older children.
Of course, staying out in the context of migrant workers present more risks and cannot be view similarly to local citizens.
Foreigners tend to be more vulnerable to scams, dangerous situations, and are generally at greater risk of unfortunate events.
(Note: Imagine you are living at a foreign country. Of course you are at greater risk than the locals of becoming a victim of crimes just for the fact of being unfamilar with local cultures.)
Perhaps a more gradual solution is to slowly increase the number of permitted stay out arrangement, and to observe whether there is any significant negative or positive social impact.
Furthermore, Singapore already has an increasingly inflated home rental market which may make such arrangement logistically impractical too.
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