Cost of Stay-Home Notice to be shared, says MOM

Employers who employ Migrant Domestic Workers are covered by this.

In a statement released by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), costs accrued by Migrant Domestic Workers (MDW) during their Stay-Home Notice (SHN) and related COVID-19 test should be shared. 

The employers who employ these MDW are required to pay for the dedicated SHN facility. There are times, however, where the employment contract is terminated prematurely, whether it be the employer’s decision or the MDW’s request.

MOM released new guidelines for circumstances like these, wherein if the change occurs within 12 months, the new employer would cover a portion of the SHN and COVID-19 tests. Employment agencies are also called up by MOM to help both the current and new employers come to an agreement. 

The department has also released criteria for the sharing of these costs. The following conditions must be met: 

• the MDW is transferred within 12 months after she completes her SHN; 
• the current employer does not receive more than what he/she had paid for the costs of SHN and related COVID-19 tests; and
• both the current and new employers sign a written agreement on the amount of costs shared.

Employment agencies are required to inform both employees of the criteria and the guidelines. 

MOM also states the current employer bears the costs proportionate to the period that the MDW has worked for them under the 12-month period.