Extension of Concessionary Migrant Domestic Worker Levy to Persons with Life-limiting Medical Conditions

Dr Tan Wu Meng asked the Minister for Manpower whether the Ministry will study if the concessionary migrant domestic worker levy can be extended to persons with serious life-limiting medical conditions or a deteriorating health situation even if the applicant does not fulfil the age criteria for the concession.

Employers can qualify for the concessionary Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) levy rate if they are living with family members who are a young child or an elderly person.

Individuals with serious medical conditions can also qualify for the levy concession as long as they require assistance with at least one activity of daily living (ADL) with no age criterion. The Ministry of Health adopts ADLs as a measure of the level of care assistance required by an individual, as ADLs are activities necessary for independent living and basic self-care. ADLs include washing, dressing, toileting, feeding and walking or moving around.

Employers may apply for the concessionary MDW levy with the Agency for Integrated Care who will assess each case based on care needs. Employers who do not qualify for levy concession can continue to hire the MDW at the standard levy rate of $300 per month.