Living in Singapore has allowed me the opportunity to employ a helper, more commonly known as a maid in the US. While this is beyond the imagination for most Americans, both black and white, having a maid in Singapore is a common occurrence. Many Singaporeans have a maid/helper to help them cook, clean, and look after their pets, elderly, or young children. In Singapore, employing a maid is not only for the wealthy. Here are a few facts about having a maid in Singapore.
Foreign Domestic Worker.
Maids in Singapore fall under the Foreign Domestic Workers (FDW) category. There are more than 200,000 FDW’s in Singapore, and possibly 1 out of every household employs an FDW. Maids or helpers as they are known in Singapore are from nearby Southeast Asia countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Bangladesh, and Thailand. These maids work as helpers in Singapore to support and/or educate their families back home and save money to buy land or a business when they return home.
Requirements to employ a maid.
Although costs for having a maid are not as prohibitive as in other places, not everyone can employ a maid. An employer must meet specific eligibility requirements. First, they must be over 21 and have the mental capacity to supervise and care for their helper. In addition, first-time employers must attend a mandatory employer orientation program. Employers are assessed on their mental and financial ability and other requirements to employ, maintain, and upkeep the maid in acceptable accommodations.
Costs of maid/helper.
The average minimum cost for having a maid in Singapore is $550.00 per month. Yes, I said that correctly; that is the cost per month. Of course, monthly salaries are commensurate with the duties required and/or the number of people in the household. There are also agency fees, health checkup fees, and a security bond to consider. In addition, there is a monthly levy fee anywhere from $60 to $300. Employers also must provide health insurance and a yearly round trip ticket for the maid/helper.
Why a maid?
When you consider the costs of childcare, cleaning, eating out, and or senior daycare or a live-in nurse, employing a maid simply makes sense. Some households have a maid for cleaning and another for the child or elderly care. The maid/helper is often responsible for running the home, shopping, and cooking to meet dietary restrictions. In some cases, the Singapore government may help defray the costs of employing a maid/helper.
Personally, I have a helper in Singapore because I don’t cook or clean. Although that might seem like a vain statement, it is my lived experience. Having maids in Singapore allowed me to live in Singapore and still work in the USA for many years. I had help raising my kids, and I could go to work knowing that someone was taking care of my children and home. Now, as an empty nester, I simply enjoy having a maid who takes care of my dog, grocery shopping, cleaning, and cooking. In addition, I can travel anytime I want because someone is always there to take care of my home. If you had the opportunity, would you hire a maid? Let me know in the comment section below.
Singapore is a great place to live as an ex-pat. It has an excellent infrastructure, schools, and healthcare system. It is also one of the cleanest cities I have traveled to and one of the most popular ex-pat destinations. I Have lived in Singapore for more than ten years now, and although I’m used to the way of life here, there are a few things I think travelers to Singapore will find interesting.
Drunk in public
In Singapore, you need to worry about drunk driving as well as being drunk in public. The legal drinking age in Singapore is 18. Selling alcohol to anyone under 18 is a punishable offense, but there is no penalty for those under 18 if caught drinking. There are plenty of bars and places to drink in Singapore but being drunk in public is an offense. Anyone who appears in public drunk or annoys another person is guilty of a crime. The punishment can be up to a maximum sentence of six months in prison or a fine of up to $1000.00 for a first-time offender.
Abusing a public servant.
It is not uncommon to see peoples’ frustrations boiling over at government officials in the US. However, doing so in Singapore is against the law. Anyone who speaks or behaves indecently to a public official is breaking the law. Furthermore, any act that prevents a public servant from carrying out their duties is also an offense. Punishment can be up to 12 months in prison and/or a fine of up to $5000.00.
Chewing gum in Singapore.
Most people think it is illegal to chew gum in Singapore, but that is not a fact. The chewing gum ban is on importing and selling chewing gum in Singapore. Currently, the law is less strict as it allows for selling gum for health-related purposes such as nicotine gum. However, you can only buy from pharmacies. Selling gum in Singapore can get you a fine of up to $100,000.00 or up to two years in jail.
Littering in Singapore.
Singapore is one of the cleanest cities, and it is because littering in Singapore is an offense. Anyone caught throwing anything on the ground, even a cigarette butt, is considered littering. The maximum fine for a littering violation is $2000.00 for the first offense, $4000.00 for the second, and up to $10,000. for the third offense. In addition, there can be a penalty of community service.
Caning in Singapore.
Caning in Singapore is indeed a fact. There are three types of caning, judicial, caning in schools, and parental punishment. Judicially an offender can be caned for several offenses but is compulsory for acts such as robbery, drug trafficking, and vandalism. Caning is only applicable to males under 50 and deemed medically fit for the punishment. Women and those sentenced to death are exempt from caning. Interestingly, the court will notify the offender of their caning sentence but no advance notice of its execution. There is a limit of 24 strokes for an adult and ten strokes for a minor.
I hope you found this information fascinating and that you be careful of local laws wherever you may travel. Singapore is a beautiful country, but it is best not to disregard any laws while visiting or working in Singapore. If found guilty, you may have to serve punishment before being deported. In addition, you will have a criminal record and may not be allowed to visit or work in Singapore in the future.
As an immigrant and having been a Singapore ex-pat, it’s not unusual for me to consider moving to another country. While living in Singapore I met and was embraced by many other wonderful African Americans from all over the world. Leaving my Singapore friends back in 2014 to return to the US, was a bittersweet time. Historically you can think of James Baldwin or Josephine Baker, to name just two of the famous black Americans who chose to live their lives overseas. In recent years the term “Blaxit” has become a familiar concept amongst African Americans considering the possibility of living their lives abroad, free from the racism and oppression they face in America. Here are a few realities for Americans who might consider leaving the US to live abroad.
Is the grass greener on the other side?
As fascinating as the concept of Blaxit is, the first step on this journey is to get a passport. I have heard many people talk about living abroad but do not even have a US passport. Additionally, if you don’t have a passport, it means you’ve likely never traveled internationally. How will you know if the destination you are seeking to move to even fits the imagined concepts that you have? Before anyone thinks about leaving the country, I think they should first get some international travel experience to see if the grass is indeed greener on the other side.
Ways to move abroad.
For those who manage to pass the first hurdle the Blaxit process, there are several ways to start the Blaxit journey. Historically, many black Americans have been exposed to living abroad from an overseas military assignment. Many more options are now available such as a student, a government assignment, an employee of a multinational firm, or simply packing up and leaving the country.
Paperwork.
Whatever option you choose, know that a lot of paperwork needs to be completed. Many countries will allow you to visit as a tourist without a visa, but you are often allowed only a certain number of days to stay in the country. After those allotted days and you are still in the country, you will have overstayed your visit and be subject to whatever penalties the country sets. Those penalties could include jail time or a lifetime ban from the country.
Finding work abroad.
If you do not have the income to support your moving choices, you will have to find work. Working overseas is not as simple as applying for a job. Many jobs are reserved for citizens and not immigrants. If you find a job, you will have to obtain a work permit unless you become a citizen. Becoming a citizen is not a simple process as you may have to give up citizenship or become a dual citizen. In some cases, even though you are living abroad, you are still liable for US taxes.
Overall, the Blaxit decision is not an easy one, and there are many more considerations that must be made. There is no simple checklist of things you need to do to move abroad. Careful consideration and a broad review of the paperwork and fees required to complete the process are necessary and individualized. Be informed before considering Blaxit. Have you ever considered living overseas? Please let me know in the comment section below.
