rules
Migrant Domestic Worker specifics: the extra EALCs (12–19), rest days, levies and advertising restrictions.
Why it exists — and how it's tested
This topic covers the extra rules that apply when the worker being placed is a (a live-in domestic helper). Because she lives where she works, alone, in a stranger's home, the rules pile on duties an ordinary placement never carries.
On the exam · This sits in the Section A/C share and rewards day-counts and numbers. When an employer-duty question stumps you, the answer is very often 7 days; when it's an EA duty, reach for the specific EALC.
= normal EA rules + extra EALCs (12–19) + a lot of 7-day employer clocks.
Rest days
Why it exists — and how it's tested
A live-in worker with no guaranteed day off can be worked without limit. The rest-day rule carves out time that cannot be bought back.
On the exam · The 2023 tightening is the target: at least 1 rest day a month cannot be compensated away. Buying out a forgone day is monthly pay ÷ 26, and note it's excluded from the fee cap.
1 rest day/week; from 2023 at least 1/month is untouchable · buy-out = pay ÷ 26.
Statutory fact
Work permits issued/renewed after 1 Jan 2013: 1 rest day per week. From 1 Jan 2023: at least 1 rest day per month cannot be compensated away. Compensation for a forgone rest day = monthly pay ÷ 26 per day, and it is excluded from the fee cap.
Source: MOM — Rest days, health and well-being for MDWs · MOM — MDW rest days (official) ↗
An 's work permit was issued in 2024. Her employer wants to pay her extra to skip all monthly rest days. Which statement is correct?
- ARest days can always be fully compensated away with the worker's agreement.
- BFrom 1 Jan 2023, an is entitled to at least 1 rest day per month that CANNOT be compensated away; compensation for other rest days foregone is monthly pay ÷ 26 × number not taken, and is NOT included in the fee cap.
- C get 1 rest day per week and every one of them may be paid off.
- DThere is no statutory rest day entitlement for .
Reveal answer & why →Hide answer ↑
Answer: B
For work permits issued/renewed after 1 Jan 2013 an gets 1 rest day per week; and from 1 Jan 2023 at least 1 rest day per month CANNOT be compensated away. Compensation for a rest day foregone is calculated as monthly pay ÷ 26 days × number of rest days not taken, and this compensation is excluded from the placement fee cap. A and C allow buying out the protected monthly rest day; D denies the entitlement entirely.
Levies
Why it exists — and how it's tested
The levy is a price knob, not a tax on the worker. MOM raises or lowers it to steer how many foreign helpers households hire; that is why recovering it from the worker is an offence.
On the exam · Pure number recall: $300 normal, $60 concessionary, $450 second helper — and the first-timer's levy clock starts on the 5th day after arrival. Pushing the levy onto the worker is the S25(4) crossover.
300 / 60 / 450 · first-timer clock starts day 5 · the levy is the employer's, always.
Statutory fact
Levy rates: $300/month (first helper) · $60 concessionary · $450 (second+ helper). For a first-time the levy starts on the 5th day after arrival (including arrival day); otherwise the next day. Levy must be paid by GIRO.
Source: MOM — Migrant domestic worker levy · MOM — MDW levy (official) ↗
🧠 Memory aid
300 / 60 / 450 — and day 5
Normal, concession, second helper — and the first-timer's levy clock starts on day five.
What are the levy rates for the concessionary rate, a first (normal) helper, and a second/subsequent helper?
- A$60 concessionary / $300 first helper / $450 second or subsequent helper.
- B$300 concessionary / $60 first helper / $450 second or subsequent helper.
- C$60 concessionary / $450 first helper / $300 second or subsequent helper.
- D$100 concessionary / $300 first helper / $600 second or subsequent helper.
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