Revised Employer Obligations to Foreign Workers

With effect from 1 January 2010, these important changes mandated by Ministry of Manpower will apply to employers of foreign workers (FWs) in Singapore (including foreign domestic helpers).

• Increase in Medical Insurance from $5,000 to $15,000.
• Changes to Security Bond (for non-Malaysian FWs)
• reduction in forfeiture of Security Bond (from $5,000 to $2,500) in event of FW runaway, provided employer has placed reasonable efforts to locate him/her.
• employer not required to forfeit Security Bond if FW breaches employment obligations under work permit (e.g. marriage to local resident or pregnancy related).

The medical insurance increase in sum assured has direct impact on the insurance premium covering new FWs and those here requiring renewal in 2010.

Employers (and families with foreign maids) have to factor this slight to moderate increase into their budgets.