FAQs ON WEEKLY REST DAYS FOR FOREIGN DOMESTIC ...

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of a weekly rest day for FDWs through a variety of ways since June 2011. • The key features of the new regulation will be communicated via the mass media, including the newspapers. • Information on the new regulation will also be made available on MOM’s website. • Briefings will be conducted to ensure that key stakeholders understand the changes and have an opportunity to get their queries addressed. • The new Settling-In Programme for first-time FDWs, which will be rolled out in mid-2012 when the FDW entry test is removed, will educate FDWs on the new regulation and advise them on appropriate behaviour on a rest day. Information will also be disseminated through MOM’s FDW newsletter. • Information about the new regulation will be incorporated in the Employer Orientation Programme that all first-time employers are required to go through before they can hire an FDW, and also be disseminated through the FDW Employers’ Guidebook and e-newsletter. • A bulletin on the new regulation will be sent to all existing licensed EAs, which will also be briefed in detail about the changes. • For enquiries, members of the public may also contact us via email through the online feedback service function on our website, or MOM Call Centre at 6438 5122. Employers’ concerns 13. Why isn’t the Government reducing the FDW levy to help employers offset the rise in costs due to the plan to implement a weekly rest day with the option for compensation in-lieu for FDWs? • Given Singapore’s size and resource constraints, we cannot allow an unlimited inflow of FDWs. Compared to other countries, Singapore already has a very high number of FDWs working in our households. • To help families who hire FDWs to care for young children, elderly and disabled family members, the Government has given a FDW Levy concession of $95 per month to such employers. These families pay a
concessionary levy of $170 instead of the full FDW levy of $265. • To provide more support to families who care for frail elderly or persons with disability, as long as he/she has moderate to severe disabilities, MCYS will give a $120 grant per month to households with a per capita monthly income of up to $2,200. This will include those with sensory impairment, autism or more severe intellectual disabilities. This is over and above the FDW Levy concession of $95 per month for households with elderly or persons with disabilities, and is more than adequate to cover the rise in costs from having to compensate a FDW for working on her rest days. - Applicants for the FDW Grant are required to go for an assessment by a certified doctor. They will also have to send their FDWs for relevant training in care giving. There is no limit to the number of training courses the FDW can attend per year. The training can be offset with an annual caregiver training grant capped at $200 per care recipient for caregiver training. This training grant can be used for the training of FDWs. - The FDW Grant is administered by the Centre for Enabled Living (CEL). For more details, including the application process and prerequisite training, please visit the CEL website (http://www.cel.sg) or call 1800 8585 885. The grant will take effect in the 3rd quarter of 2012. • The Government has also provided a slew of assistance schemes for such families including the foreign maid levy tax relief where the employer can claim tax relief for twice the levy paid, eldercare and childcare subsidies, as well as other marriage and parenthood incentives. 14. Some employers have family members who may require constant attention. How are they supposed to give FDWs a weekly rest day? • Employers with genuine difficulties giving FDWs a weekly rest day have the option to: - Mutually agree upon which day of the week the rest day should fall, so that the employer can make alternative care arrangements in advance; or - Mutually agree with the FDW to opt for compensation in-lieu of a rest day. • To help families who hire FDWs to care for young children, elderly and disabled family members, the Government has given a FDW Levy
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