Five Reasons to Renew Your Domestic Helper’s Work Permit, in Singapore.

Hey everyone, Gio here once again and in today’s blog post, I will discuss with you some compelling reasons to renew your domestic helper’s work permit, in Singapore’s context.

Amid the vibrant -and stressful- lives that we get to enjoy in our beloved city-state, our domestic helpers are the dedicated individuals who play a vital role in maintaining the balance and harmony of our households. They ensure that our families would be able to focus more on the educational progress, professional commitments and the personal well-being of each family member. Growing up as a Filipino living in Singapore, I have heard many stories of domestic helpers needing to find a prospective employer upon the expiry of their work permit. In this post, I’m going to put forward some reasons why you might want to renew your helper’s work permit.

NUMBER ONE: To Ensure the Continuity of Support to our Households.
Imagine having to call no one when you suddenly couldn’t pick your son up from the daycare or forgot to buy soy sauce to marinate your bbq dinner tonight. The truth is, we depend on our domestic helpers for many household tasks that somehow just slip through our memory, as otherwise, our routines may become disrupted. By renewing our helper’s work permits, we are reaffirming the commitment for the support they provide to our families and keep the good vibes flowing.

NUMBER TWO: To Recognise our Helper’s Personal Aspirations.
All of the domestic helpers I’ve come to know since I stepped foot in this country left their own in pursuit of better opportunities for themselves -and most times, for a greater cause – their families. Whether it be to pay for their child(ren)’s or siblings’ education, to fund their parents’ medical expenses or to buy a humble abode, renewing their work permit boosts their individual worth and self-esteem. Picture this- you’re not only providing for but you’re also cheering her on, for all the things she cares about to make her dreams come true. You are the best boss!

NUMBER THREE: To Maintain Familiarity and Routine.
Let’s get real about this, sometimes we let go of our helpers due to “poor performance” and would rather have her be replaced by someone with seemingly better attributes (bigger, stronger, taller, etc) to carry out their expected duties more effectively. I would like to get around this by focussing more on strengthening the bonds between the helpers and their host families first and training them the way one would have done it. One must have laid out the rules clearly to set the expectations especially during the first 3 months they have been employed. It is understandable that your time as the head of the household can be precious and the best way to invest it in my experience is to educate them thoroughly so they could become independent. Over time, they would become attuned to your family’s preferences, routines and unique needs. Needless to say, renewing the work permit would maintain this familiarity which can provide the care and support to each member of the household… such as those instances where they know exactly how sweet your coffee should be in the morning.

NUMBER FOUR: To Avoid Administrative Hassles.
A timely renewal of your helper’s work permit could lead to many administrative complications (not to mention penalties, yikes!) Doing so would take away the last minute chaos, giving you peace of mind, so you can focus more on developing the meaningful aspects of raising your family. By staying on top of the renewal process, you are ensuring a smooth continuation of their employment.

NUMBER FIVE: To Set a Precedent for the Society at Large.
We all say that a family is the basic unit of the society. Well, societies have rules and Singapore sets clear standards for the employment of our domestic helpers. Renewing their work permit on time is your way of demonstrating compliance with the laws to fulfil your responsibilities as an employer. This ultimately sets a precedent that your (and hopefully many other) family is proactive, fair and trustworthy which transcend into the society at large.

In conclusion, renewing your domestic helper’s work permit is more than just a task – it’s an affirmation of your commitment to a fair, stable and a harmonious household. By learning about the reasons mentioned above, you not only contribute to your helper’s well-being but also strengthen the bond between your family, theirs and the society at large. As you renew your domestic helper’s work permit, do remember that it’s more than just a paperwork; it represents many principles your children could learn from some of which are respect and gratitude. May your family thrive in life!

If you need more resources on how to renew your domestic helper’s work permit in Singapore, I’ve made the video below where I teach you on the process. Do subscribe if you want to. Cheers!