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Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) Interview By MOM: Things to Know

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Best Housekeeper

Hiring a maid is essential when you’re juggling with your work, kids, household chores, and doing a number of other things. The hiring process becomes easy when you work with a maid agency in Singapore (SG). An employment agency processes the paperwork necessary to legally employ a foreign domestic worker. From helping you interview potential helpers, insurance papers to employment contract, your agency works with you closely to ensure you hire the best maid based on your needs and budget.

The process of hiring a maid does not end with signing the employment contract. The Ministry of Manpower in Singapore (MOM) interviews new foreign domestic workers (FDWs) after their first few months of working at your house. The FDW interview by MOM is compulsory and you must know a few important things about this interview. Here are they:

Why the FDW Interview is Important?
It is important for your FDW to attend the interview because if she does not attend it, then her Work Permit may be revoked. First-time maids need to adjust to their working conditions in Singapore. To know if she is adjusting well to her living and working conditions, MOM conducts FDW interview after the first few months of her employment. The aim of the interview is also to foster a good working relationship between you and the FDW.

Who Conducts the Interview?
The Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE) on behalf of MOM conducts this interview with your maid. CDE is a non-governmental organisation appointed by Singapore's National Trades Union Congress (SNTUC). The organisation looks after and addresses the work-related challenges faced by local and foreign domestic workers.

What Are the Questions Subject to FDW Interview?
Your maid will be asked the following questions during her interview:

1. What is the working and living condition at your home?
2. If she is adjusting well to her new work as a maid at your house?
3. If she is provided with adequate food and rest?
4. Does she know what are her rights and responsibilities?
5. She is informed about the importance of safe working conditions


Other Important Things to Remember:
• You or any member of your family can accompany your FDW for her interview with CDE, but the interview is conducted only with your FDW. The interview cannot be recorded.
• Your maid will get an interview letter with time and date specifications. The interview is conducted for 45 minutes to 1 hour on weekdays, from 9am to 6pm.
• Your maid must accompany the following documents to the interview - the interview letter, her Work Permit card, her employment contract, and any other documents if requested by MOM. You can get all these documents from your maid agency in SG when hiring a maid.
• The interview can be rescheduled only if the maid is unable to attend it on the specified date. You need to inform CDE at least 3 working days before the scheduled appointment.

Conclusion
Foreign domestic workers leave their home country to work in Singapore. As an employer, you can support your helper by helping her get accustomed to Singapore and your family. If you want to hire a first-time maid or an experienced transfer maid, work with a maid agency in Singapore to find and hire the best helper for your family.

About the Author
Sheena Liam
Sheena has been working as a social worker with a non-profit organisation in Singapore for the past 10 years. She loves to work towards the welfare of society and people of the country. She also speaks at charities on how to improve the quality of our lives.

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