Security bond requirements for foreign domestic worker

You need to buy a security bond for your helper, unless she is a Malaysian. You can buy the bond at any bank or insurance company.

A security bond is a binding pledge to pay the government (up to $5,000) if you break the law or the conditions governing the employment of a helper. You need a bond for every helper you employ, unless she is a Malaysian.

Bonds usually take the form of an insurance. The insurers guarantee to pay the government should you break the rules; then the insurers pursue you for the money.

You must not ask your helper to pay for the bond.

Before your helper arrives in Singapore, you must buy these for her:

• Security bond
• Medical insurance
• Personal accident insurance

You can buy these items as a package or separately.

Please ensure that your insurer sends us the security bond details (takes up to 3 working days) before she arrives and that the bond takes effect on her arrival date. If not, she will be refused entry and you will have to pay to send her home.

You can check the status of the security bond.

You will be discharged from the security bond liability only if you meet all of these conditions:

• You have cancelled the Work Permit.
• The helper has returned home.
• You did not breach any of the conditions of the security bond.

If all conditions are met, the security bond will usually be discharged one week after your helper left Singapore.

You’ll be notified by post when the security bond is discharged.

Your security bond may be forfeited if:

• You or your helper violate any of the conditions of the Work Permit or security bond.
• You don’t pay her salary on time.
• You fail to send her back when her Work Permit is expired, revoked or cancelled, or if she goes missing.
  If the helper goes missing, half of the security bond ($2,500) will be forfeited if you have made reasonable effort to locate her and have filed a police report.

You will not be liable for your helper’s violations (such as those relating to pregnancy) if you can prove that you have:

• Informed her of the Work Permit conditions she must comply with.
• Reported a violation when you first become aware of it.

Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/eligibility-and-requirements/security-bond