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Time Business News
a day ago
- General
- Time Business News
How to Find a Reliable Philippines Maid Agency for Busy Families?
Singapore's fast pace often leaves families with little time to manage daily tasks. With work, school, and caregiving to juggle, many households seek extra help. Hiring a domestic worker can bring relief, especially when chosen with care. If you're considering a helper from the Philippines, selecting the right Philippines maid agency Singapore offers becomes your first step. A helper can support your home, but the process starts with trust. The agency you work with sets the tone. This guide explains how to find the right one—reliable, clear, and respectful of everyone involved. Why Filipino Helpers Are a Popular Choice? Filipino domestic workers are known for their strong English skills, adaptability, and dedication. Many families value their communication ability and family-centred mindset. These qualities often help build stronger bonds between the helper and the household. That said, no two helpers are the same. It's important to look beyond general traits and focus on the fit for your family's daily needs and values. What a Good Maid Agency Should Offer? The agency acts as a bridge. It connects employers with helpers and handles paperwork, training, and logistics. Choosing a good one means the process flows with fewer surprises. Here's what the right agency should do: Explain each step clearly Offer profiles with real details and photos Check helpers' backgrounds and references Help with interviews and selection Provide after-placement support Follow local rules and fair work standards You don't need a fancy office or endless promises. What matters is honesty, structure, and a clear plan. Questions to Ask Before Choosing an Agency A little preparation saves future stress. Prepare a list before calling or visiting an agency. Ask these: How do you check helpers' skills or experience? Do you train helpers in safety, cleaning, or elder care? Can we meet the helper through video before confirming? What support do you offer after placement? How do you handle disputes? If the answers feel rushed or vague, that may be a red flag. Understanding MOM Guidelines in Singapore Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) sets rules for hiring foreign domestic workers. Good agencies follow these rules. They help you: Register the helper legally Arrange medical checks Buy insurance Attend the Employer Orientation Programme (if required) Set up contracts in line with MOM terms Skipping these steps can cause delays or legal issues. Always check that your chosen Filipino maid agency knows these rules well. Spotting Warning Signs Not every agency puts the worker or employer first. Some focus only on placement speed, not fit or safety. Look out for: Overly short interviews No clear refund or replacement policy Pressure to confirm fast Helpers who lack basic training Agencies that avoid questions A rushed process leads to tension and costly changes. Slow down and ask until you feel ready. Matching Helper Skills to Family Needs Before choosing anyone, think through your daily routine. Write a list of what you expect the helper to do. Include: Childcare: age, school routines, meals Elder care: mobility, medicine, companionship Housework: cleaning, laundry, cooking Pet care: walking, feeding Special skills: language, diet, and tools used at home This helps agencies match helpers with relevant experience or training. Honest, detailed profiles support better matches. Why Good Communication Matters Misunderstandings cause many placement failures. Clear talk from the start helps avoid later stress. A helper must understand your expectations. Likewise, families must listen to the helper's views and needs. Agencies that value both sides teach this during the process. They guide families to set fair hours, clear tasks, and shared routines. Respect grows from open talk, not rules alone. Preparing for the Interview An interview helps both sides feel ready. If the helper is overseas, video calls work well. During this meeting: Describe your home and schedule Ask about past roles and comfort with tasks Share your parenting or elder care values Check language skills in both directions Discuss the rest days and free time routines Observe how both sides respond. This is more than a checklist—it's a chance to spot if the helper's approach matches your household. Common Mistakes to Avoid Choosing a helper is a personal process. Avoid these traps: Relying only on online reviews Choosing based on photo or age alone Skipping interviews Ignoring gut feelings Hiring in a rush due to an urgent need Time spent at the start saves effort later. Let the process unfold with care. Comparing Agencies with Purpose If you're comparing options, use a few key points to guide your choice. The table below shows how families can weigh agencies on what matters most. Comparing Maid Agencies – What to Check Feature Why It Matters Helper Screening Process Ensures skills and safety Interview Options Helps you assess fit Legal Support Keeps hiring within MOM rules Replacement Policy Offers peace of mind After-Placement Support Helps solve issues early This structure keeps choices clear when emotions and pressure rise. Supporting Your Helper After Hiring A good match needs care beyond hiring. The early weeks set the tone. Help your helper feel welcome by: Giving a written list of daily tasks Showing how to use machines or tools Explaining routines gently Offering feedback kindly Asking about their well-being often Even small questions like, 'How are you today?' build respect. A calm, guided start improves long-term trust. Handling Cultural Differences with Grace Every family has its own unique habits, and helpers bring their own as well. Food, sleep times, phone use, and privacy can all differ. Talk about these openly. Set limits with kindness. Cultural learning goes both ways. Some families enjoy sharing meals, customs, or festivals. This helps helpers feel part of the home. If tensions rise, speak early. Don't let small issues grow. A short chat fixes more than silent stress. How a Reliable Philippines Maid Agency in Singapore Adds Value? The best agencies support every step, from the first call to the final placement and beyond. They care about match quality, not just numbers. You'll know it when: They call back quickly They explain that instead of selling They offer follow-up without being asked They respect the helper's background They stay calm during tough moments These actions show commitment, not just service. Choosing a reliable Philippines maid agency Singapore families trust brings long-term peace of mind. It turns hiring from a worry into a strength. Trust Takes Time, But It Starts Now Many families feel nervous during this process. That's normal. But the more time you take now to listen, learn, and ask, the smoother things go. Don't expect perfection on day one. Focus on building routines, not control. Praise when things go right. Guide when things go wrong. Helpers want to do well—they just need space and support to grow. Final Thoughts Busy households require strong support. With the right helper, your home runs smoother, your family feels lighter, and your time becomes better spent. That journey begins with a single step—finding a trustworthy Philippines maid agency Singapore residents can rely on. Look for real effort, not fast promises. Ask questions, trust your instincts, and stay open during the process. A skilled Filipino maid agency connects people, not just tasks. It shapes homes, not just hires. With care, clear talk, and honest effort, the right match is out there. Families and helpers thrive together when foundations begin with trust. Choosing a reliable Philippines maid agency Singapore offers today sets up lasting support for tomorrow TIME BUSINESS NEWS
New Paper
a day ago
- New Paper
Singaporean falls from height in workplace accident near Padang, dies
A 43-year-old Singaporean man died after he fell while abseiling from a tower at a worksite near the Padang on May 30. When contacted, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said that the man - a freelance industrial rope access worker - was rappelling down an 18m-high steel tower in Connaught Drive when his single anchorage rope failed, causing him to fall. The man was rushed to Singapore General Hospital after the fall, where he died from his injuries. "As a general safety reminder, personnel descending tall steel towers must utilise appropriate fall protection systems, such as secondary independent lifelines and other suitable safety devices," said the ministry, adding that it is investigating the incident. In a media reply, the man's employer, Showtec International, said that the man was a rigger and that it is assisting the man's family. According to the National Youth Council's Discover On My Way website, riggers specialise in lifting equipment operations and conduct regular system checks and upkeep. Between February and April 2025, a total of 13 stop-work orders and fines totalling more than $375,000 were issued to firms found to have flouted rules that protect workers carrying out tasks at high places, said MOM on May 20. The safety violations were discovered during inspections conducted between February and April at about 550 worksites.
International Business Times
2 days ago
- International Business Times
Man, 43, Dies After Falling from Height in Workplace Accident in Singapore
A 43-year-old Singaporean man died after falling from a tower at a worksite near the Padang on May 30 while he was abseiling. The Ministry of Manpower said that the man, who was a freelance industrial rope access worker, was rappelling down an 18m-high steel tower on Connaught Drive when his single anchorage rope failed, leading him to plummet. According to reports, the man was immediately taken to Singapore General Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The ministry said, as quoted by The Straits Times, "As a general safety reminder, personnel descending tall steel towers must utilise appropriate fall protection systems, such as secondary independent lifelines and other suitable safety devices." The investigation is ongoing. In a media statement, the man's employer, Showtec International, stated the victim was a rigger and that the company is aiding the man's family. Riggers, according to the National Youth Council's Discover On My Way website, work with lifting equipment and perform regular system checks and maintenance. Between February and April 2025, 13 stop-work orders and fines totaling more than $375,000 were issued to enterprises judged to have violated rules protecting workers performing duties in high areas, according to MOM earlier in May. The safety infractions were identified during inspections of around 550 work sites from February to April.
Mint
2 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Indonesia Joins Regional Push Against Age Bias in Job Market
Indonesia is urging companies to remove age limits in job ads, reflecting growing regulatory scrutiny of discriminatory labor practices in Southeast Asia's largest economy. The Ministry of Manpower issued a circular signed on May 28 directing both domestic and foreign employers to eliminate age restrictions in recruitment efforts, including those targeting people with disabilities. Exceptions are allowed only when age is clearly relevant to the role — and even then, the criteria must not unfairly disadvantage applicants. 'These restrictions have long contributed to legitimizing unemployment and poverty,' Deputy Minister of Manpower Immanuel Ebenezer said in a phone interview on Saturday. 'Employers want comfort, we will deliver that. We will eliminate thuggery and burdensome regulations. But we also ask for cooperation — to help our fellow citizens.' Labor unions welcomed the move as a step toward fairer hiring, but also called for regulations to enforce the directive. Employer groups, however, voiced concerns about practical implementation, warning that companies may now face an influx of applicants. Indonesia currently has more than 7 million unemployed people, with older job seekers often facing barriers to reentry. The circular is part of broader labor policy changes under President Prabowo Subianto. The government has also banned the practice of employers withholding workers' original diplomas and personal documents — a tactic critics say restricts labor mobility. These measures build on labor policy changes initiated under the previous administration, including the 2023 revision of Indonesia's job creation law. That revision met strong opposition from labor groups due to its perceived pro-business leanings. While the circular is not legally binding, it signals tighter government oversight and could lay the groundwork for future inspections or enforcement. The government is also drafting a ministerial regulation that would more clearly define discriminatory hiring practices — including bias based on appearance, marital status, religion, or ethnicity — in line with constitutional guarantees of equal employment opportunity. 'We are drafting a ministerial regulation that may include sanctions for non-compliant companies,' said Ebenezer, without providing further details. Indonesia isn't alone. Thailand's Labor Protection Act includes similar provisions, and Malaysia amended its Employment Act in 2022 to address discrimination in employment. Singapore's Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices also advises against age and gender restrictions in job postings. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Singapore Law Watch
3 days ago
- Singapore Law Watch
Woman who claimed ‘voices' told her to abuse maid has jail term more than doubled to 7 years
Woman who claimed 'voices' told her to abuse maid has jail term more than doubled to 7 years Source: Straits Times Article Date: 30 May 2025 Author: Selina Lum Anita Damu, 57, was initially sentenced to two years and seven months' jail in 2018. A maid abuser had her prison sentence more than doubled to seven years after she appealed to the High Court to avoid jail time on grounds that she heard voices telling her to hurt the domestic worker. Anita Damu, 57, was initially sentenced to two years and seven months' jail in 2018, after a district judge accepted two psychiatric reports that she had abused the victim under the influence of auditory hallucinations. This explanation has since been rejected by the court. In increasing her sentence on May 26, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon said the sentences imposed by the lower court on each of the charges she faced were manifestly inadequate. 'Among other things, they were infected by the erroneous assumption that the acts of abuse were caused by the auditory hallucinations,' he said. Anita, who is also known as Shazana Abdullah, had inflicted serious physical and psychological abuse on her 29-year-old Indonesian helper between 2014 and 2015. The abuse came to light in April 2015 after a Ministry of Manpower officer received information that the maid was being abused by her employer, and visited the flat. The officer reported the matter to the police after observing that the helper had welts on her face, burn marks on her hands and scars on her body. In September 2018, Anita pleaded guilty to five charges: one each for depriving the victim of rest, splashing her with hot water, burning her with an iron, poking her with a metal prong, and hitting her in the face with a slipper. Four other charges – for slapping the victim, pinching her with pliers on two occasions and pushing a cup of hot water towards her mouth – were taken into consideration for sentencing. During a sentencing hearing in October 2018, while her lawyer was arguing for her to be given a fine, she suddenly felt giddy and had to be taken to hospital. In December that year, she was sentenced to two years and seven months' jail. She was also ordered to pay $8,000 in compensation to the victim. Both she and the prosecution appealed against the sentence. The prosecution also appealed for a higher sum of compensation. She has paid an additional $4,000 in voluntary compensation on top of the ordered sum. When the appeal was first heard in 2019, Chief Justice Menon ruled that the psychiatric reports alone were not sufficient for the district judge to conclude that the woman was hearing voices when she abused the maid. The Chief Justice sent the case back to the lower court to determine whether she had suffered from such a condition. He said the offender should take the stand, as it was incumbent on her to present the best evidence available to support her assertion. Before she could testify, Anita was diagnosed with schizophrenia. She was assessed to be of unsound mind and unable to understand and follow court proceedings. Since June 2023, she has been confined at the Institute of Mental Health. On Aug 5, 2024, she was certified to be of sound mind and capable of standing trial. She and her family members eventually took the stand to testify before the district judge. In a judgment dated April 2, the district judge concluded that she did not suffer from auditory hallucinations and that her claim was a 'fabrication'. The appeal before Chief Justice Menon resumed on May 26. Deputy Public Prosecutor Timotheus Koh sought a jail term of four years and seven months, standing by the prosecution's submissions in 2019. He also sought a further $9,588 in compensation. Chief Justice Menon said the sentence sought by the prosecution was 'manifestly insufficient', looking at the totality of the offending behaviour, the harm to the victim and the cruelty towards the victim. He said he will explain his sentencing decision in a written judgment at a later date. He also allowed the prosecution's appeal on the compensation order. This means Anita has to pay a total of $21,588 to the maid. Chief Justice Menon noted that while most foreign domestic workers are well-provided for, occasionally some do not adjust well or have employers who fail to care for them. 'At times, they even fail to accord them the basic dignity due to a fellow human being. Sadly, this is such a case,' he said. He added that it was a 'matter of regret' that the case has taken this long to be resolved, in large part because of the litigation choices made by the accused. Selina Lum is senior law correspondent at The Straits Times. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction. Print
