The health of the maid is key to work performance.
When a maid fall sick, it can be costly for both the maid and employers and can lead to stress.
Many maids are working in Singapore to earn a living for their family back in their home country.
Becoming ill may put them out of a job, losing income (in some cases they could be sole breadwinner)for their dependents back home.
Extreme cases happen when maids fall seriously ill, they choose to hide their condition just to keep their job.
With time, the condition can worsen and reveal itself, and by the time treatment costs usually run up more than what a basic medical insurance plan would typically cover.
As an employer of a foreign domestic worker in Singapore, it’s essential to understand your responsibilities towards their medical care.
Employers are liable for their maid’s medical expenses, which can be a significant cost, especially in cases of prolonged hospitalization or extended outpatient treatment.
Maid Medical Expenses and Insurance
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Employers must purchase medical and personal accident insurance for their foreign maids, which should cover at least S$15,000 and S$40,000 of the costs per year, respectively.
In the unfortunate case that your maid falls severely ill, the costs of medical treatment could be higher than the insured amount.
To minimize liability, consider buying a more comprehensive policy.
In Singapore, employers cannot deduct medical expenses from their maid’s salary, even if she agrees.
Domestic helpers cannot co-pay for medical treatment, and employers must send their helpers for a medical examination every six months, as per employment conditions.
These costs should be fully covered by the employer. ☝️
Discussing Health and Safety with Your Maid
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Being proactive about health and safety is crucial.
Discuss safety situations in Singapore with your maid and ensure she eats and lives healthily.
Create safe working conditions, such as not requiring your maid to clean exterior windows in certain instances, and remind her about safety around the house, like turning off the gas.
Early detection is vital in medical care.
Let your maid know that you don’t mind if she visits a doctor if she feels unwell.
Ignoring an illness can lead to more complicated and expensive treatments.
Ensure your maid gets enough rest, including at least eight hours of sleep and sufficient rest time at night, and allow her to take her weekly day off.
What Happens if a Maid Fails a Medical Exam
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The Ministry of Manpower requires foreign domestic workers to undergo a medical checkup every six months, screening for pregnancy, HIV, venereal diseases, and tuberculosis.
A maid must take the first exam within two weeks of her employment in Singapore.
For transfer maids, her previous employer should have sent her for a checkup prior to the transfer.
If your maid tests positive for one or more components of the medical checkup, her work permit will be revoked, and employment will cease.
The maid needs to be repatriated from Singapore, and the employer will be responsible for any related costs.
Failure to Cover Maid Medical Costs
If an employer in Singapore fails to pay for their hired worker’s medical costs, the relevant embassy may intervene, liaising directly with the Ministry of Manpower to secure legal and medical aid.
Employers can be prosecuted, facing a fine of $10,000 and imprisonment of up to 12 months, besides settling the medical fees.
It is the legal responsiblity for employers to cover the treatment fees for maids when they fall sick.
The maids cannot be forced to pay for the medical expenses, even if the expense goes over the insurance coverage.
Supporting Your Maid’s Recovery
Depending on the severity of the illness, a helper may prefer to be with her own family as she recovers rather than staying in Singapore.
Consult the maid to find out what treatment plan best suits her.
An employer is not encourage to send their helper on home leave to avoid paying for medical costs.
Yet, it is also understandable for an employer to give a termination of work permit notice to avoid bearing future medical costs.
Some employers will go out of the way to help their ill-stricken helper, where such cases win the employer of the year award.
Employer Responsibilities and Consequences
As an employer, it’s essential to understand your responsibilities towards your maid’s medical care.
Failure to comply with these responsibilities can lead to severe consequences, including prosecution and blacklisting.
Employers must prioritize their maid’s health and safety, ensuring they receive proper medical attention when needed.
By doing so, employers can avoid legal and financial complications, and maintain a positive and healthy working relationship with their domestic helper.
In conclusion, as an employer of a foreign domestic worker in Singapore, it’s crucial to understand and fulfill your responsibilities towards their medical care.
By doing so, you can ensure a healthy and positive working relationship with your maid, while also avoiding legal and financial complications.
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