Waiver of Foreign Domestic Worker Levies Paid by Employers Due to COVID-19-related Travel Restrictions

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Manpower whether the Ministry will consider a waiver of levies paid by employers that are either unable to receive their identified foreign domestic workers (FDWs) or FDWs that have requested that they be repatriated prior to the completion of contract due to COVID-19-related restrictions that prohibit travel between Singapore and the FDW's home country.

An employer will not incur the monthly levy for a new foreign domestic worker (FDW) who is unable to enter Singapore due to travel restrictions. An employer of an FDW who is on home leave and unable to re-enter Singapore because of travel restrictions may request for a levy waiver from MOM. For an FDW who wishes to be repatriated, employers should secure the repatriation flight prior to the cancellation of the work permit. Flights to the common FDW source countries are currently available although flights to some destinations are less frequent. Once the work permit is cancelled, the employer's levy obligation ceases. If there are last minute flight cancellations or changes by the airline, the employers may approach the Ministry of Manpower for an extension of the FDW's Special Pass. Levies are not payable for FDWs on Special Passes.