Domestic Helper Jobs in Singapore for Filipinos: Build a New Life

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Work abroad as a Filipino domestic helper in Singapore

Working as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Domestic Helper in Singapore involves providing household services such as cleaning, cooking, childcare, and elderly care. Singapore is known for its strict labor laws and regulations, which aim to protect both employers and employees. Domestic helpers in Singapore typically live with their employers and are provided with food and accommodation. The work can be demanding, but it offers a stable income and the opportunity to support families back home. Employers in Singapore often seek domestic helpers who are reliable, hardworking, and trustworthy. The government also mandates that domestic helpers undergo a medical examination and attend a safety training course before starting their employment.

Keypoints:

Stable Income: Provides a reliable source of income to support families back home.
Accommodation and Food: Typically included as part of the employment package.
Strict Labor Laws: Ensures protection and fair treatment for both employers and employees.
Training and Medical Examination: Mandatory for all domestic helpers before starting work.
Demanding Work: Involves various household tasks and responsibilities.

Demand: High

The demand for domestic helpers in Singapore is high due to the busy lifestyles of many Singaporean families, which require additional help with household chores and caregiving.

Growth: Moderate

The growth in demand for domestic helpers is moderate as the market is relatively saturated, but there is a consistent need due to the turnover and the aging population requiring more caregiving services.

Job Overview

Job Description

Household Cleaning: Perform daily cleaning tasks such as sweeping, mopping, dusting, and vacuuming to maintain a clean and organized home environment.
Laundry and Ironing: Wash, dry, fold, and iron clothes and linens to ensure they are clean and presentable.
Cooking and Meal Preparation: Prepare and cook meals according to the employer's preferences, including grocery shopping and meal planning.
Childcare: Supervise and care for children, including feeding, bathing, dressing, and engaging in educational and recreational activities.
Elderly Care: Assist elderly family members with daily activities, including personal hygiene, medication management, and mobility support.
Pet Care: Feed, groom, and exercise pets, as well as clean up after them.
Errands and Shopping: Run errands such as grocery shopping, picking up dry cleaning, and other household necessities.
Gardening: Maintain the garden by watering plants, trimming hedges, and ensuring the outdoor area is tidy.
Household Management: Organize and manage household supplies, ensuring that all necessary items are stocked and available.
Safety and Security: Ensure the safety and security of the household by locking doors, setting alarms, and being vigilant about potential hazards.

Qualifications

Age Requirement: Typically between 23 to 45 years old.
Work Experience: At least 2 years of experience in domestic work, preferably with references.
Skills: Proficiency in household chores, cooking, childcare, and elderly care.
Language Proficiency: Basic to intermediate proficiency in English to communicate effectively with employers and understand instructions.
Work Visa: Must obtain a valid work visa or employment pass to legally work in Singapore.
Health and Fitness: Good physical health and fitness to perform demanding household tasks.
Training and Certification: Completion of relevant training programs or certifications in domestic work, childcare, or elderly care is advantageous.
Cultural Adaptability: Ability to adapt to the cultural norms and practices of Singaporean households.
Background Check: Clean criminal record and willingness to undergo background checks.
Interpersonal Skills: Good communication and interpersonal skills to build a positive relationship with the employer and household members.

Requirements

: High school diploma or equivalent: Most employers prefer candidates who have completed secondary education.

Basic literacy and numeracy skills: Ability to read, write, and perform basic arithmetic is essential for daily tasks.

Understanding of basic household management: Knowledge of household chores, budgeting, and time management is beneficial.
: Previous experience as a domestic helper: At least 1-2 years of experience in a similar role is often required.

Experience in childcare or elderly care: Specific experience in taking care of children or elderly family members is highly valued.

Familiarity with household appliances: Experience in using common household appliances like washing machines, vacuum cleaners, and kitchen equipment.

Cooking experience: Ability to prepare and cook meals according to the employer's preferences and dietary requirements.
: Basic proficiency in English: Ability to understand and communicate in English is essential for following instructions and interacting with the employer.

Knowledge of local languages: Understanding basic phrases in Mandarin, Malay, or Tamil can be advantageous but is not mandatory.
: Domestic helper training programs: Completion of accredited training programs that cover household management, cooking, and cleaning.

First aid and CPR certification: Training in basic first aid and CPR to handle emergencies effectively.

Childcare or elderly care training: Specialized training in taking care of children or elderly individuals, including safety and hygiene practices.

Compensation

Filipino domestic helpers working in Singapore often receive various benefits to support their transition and living expenses, including:

Accommodation: Employers are required to provide free accommodation, which includes a private or shared room.
Food Allowance: Employers must either provide free meals or a food allowance if meals are not provided.
Medical Insurance: Mandatory medical insurance coverage for domestic helpers, ensuring access to healthcare services.
Rest Days: Domestic helpers are entitled to one rest day per week, which can be negotiated for compensation if not taken.
Annual Leave: Some employers offer paid annual leave, though this is not mandatory.
Return Flight Ticket: Employers are required to provide a return flight ticket to the domestic helper's home country upon completion of the contract.

Trainee salary of domestic helper in Singapore: ₱15,000.00
Minimum salary of domestic helper in Singapore: ₱20,000.00
Maximum salary of domestic helper in Singapore: ₱30,000.00
Note: job offers and specific salary vary from job orders and agencies. Be sure to ask these information during the interview.

What you need to prepare

Applicants are required to present their original documents for verification of documents before forwarding the résumé to the employer.

Document	Description	Mandatory	Agency Assistance
Passport	Valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure.	Yes	No
Employment Contract	Signed by both the employer and the employee.	Yes	Yes
Work Permit	Issued by the Ministry of Manpower in Singapore.	Yes	Yes
Medical Certificate	Health clearance from an accredited medical facility.	Yes	Yes
Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) Certificate	Proof of attendance in a mandatory seminar.	Yes	Yes
OWWA Membership	Proof of membership with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.	Yes	Yes
POEA Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)	Clearance from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.	Yes	Yes
TESDA NC II Certificate	Certification for Domestic Work from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.	Yes	Yes
NBI Clearance	Clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation.	Yes	No
Birth Certificate	Issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority.	Yes	No

Culture of work

Cultural Norms and Expectations in the Workplace

Respect for Authority: Employers expect domestic helpers to follow instructions and respect household rules.
Punctuality and Reliability: Being on time and dependable is highly valued.
Privacy and Discretion: Maintaining the privacy of the employer's household is crucial.
Hard Work and Diligence: A strong work ethic and attention to detail are expected.
Communication: Clear and respectful communication with employers is important.

Tips on Adapting to the Work Environment

Learn Basic Mandarin or Malay: Understanding basic phrases can help in communication.
Understand Local Customs: Familiarize yourself with Singaporean customs and traditions.
Build a Support Network: Connect with other OFWs for support and advice.
Stay Organized: Keep track of tasks and schedules to manage workload efficiently.
Take Care of Your Health: Ensure you get enough rest and maintain a healthy diet.

Frequently asked questions

General questions

: Great question! Layag PH uses your profile which you provide during registration to match you with agencies that have job openings for the position that is perfect for you. The more detailed your profile and information, the better the job matches you'll get. Register now and complete your profile to land your dream job and start your work abroad.
: Yes, all jobs on Layag OFW are sourced from Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) licensed agencies in the country. That said, it is always best to do your own research and trust your instincts. Often times, when offers are too good to be true, then you should be more careful. Ask any questions you may have, always secure your contract, and ask for the agency's license to verify their legitimacy.
: Yes, Layag OFW is completely free to use. Our mission is to reduce unemployment rate in the country and make job hunting easier for Filipino workers. Sign up now to create an account, and we'll handle sending your application to the right agencies so you can start your dream of working abroad. Sa Layag OFW, we believe that OFWs are heroes, and we are on a mission to make work opportunities abroad more accessible to our kababayans.
: While waiting, take care of your requirements. Make sure your passport is valid, secure your NBI clearance, keep a copy of your birth certificate, and practice your interview skills so you’re ready when the opportunity comes. For more tips ang guides, check out our Deployment Guide. Job orders are updated regularly, so don't lose hope. Male sure your profile and experiences are updated to improve your chances of being shortlisted by an agency.