As an employer, you are responsible for the health and well-being of your maid. . You must provide for rest days, proper accommodation, adequate medical care and safe work conditions.
REST DAYS
Your maid is entitled to one rest day per week. You and your maid must mutually agree on which day of the week she should take the rest day. Sunday is preferred as that is prbably the only day her friends are available to meet her.
At least one rest day each month cannot be compensated away.
If your MDW agrees to work on the remaining rest days in the month, you must compensate her with one of the following:
a) At least 1 day’s salary (Basic salary/26). Note: This is an additional payment and is not counted into the MDW’s basic salary.
b) A replacement rest day taken within the same month.
ACCOMMODATION
You must ensure that your MDW’s accommodation meets the following requirements:
a) Adequate shelter: the accommodation must adequately protect your maid from environmental elements such as sun, rain or strong winds.
b) Basic amenities: you must minimally provide your MDW with a mattress, pillow, blanket, bathroom amenities and toiletries. Examples of toiletries include soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
c) Sufficient ventilation: your maid’s accommodation must be sufficiently ventilated. Mechanical ventilation (e.g. electrical fan) must be provided if natural ventilation is inadequate.
d) Safety: your maid must not sleep near any dangerous equipment or structure that could potentially cause harm or hurt to her.
e) Modesty: your maid must not sleep in the same room as a male adult or teenager. If you install video recording devices at home, you must inform your maid of the devices and where they are placed. You must not install them in areas that will compromise her privacy or modesty, e.g. where she sleeps, change clothes, or the bathroom area.
f) Space and privacy: you should provide your MDW with a separate room. If that is not possible, you must ensure that her accommodation has adequate space and privacy.
ADEQUATE FOOD
You must provide your maid with 3 meals a day. Be sensitive to your maid’s needs when it comes to food. Do not force your maid to eat food that she is not supposed to or is not comfortable with. For example, your maid may not be able to eat certain food due to her religious beliefs, or she may not be accustomed to your family’s dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian food or porridge).