There are currently around 230,000 Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs, frequently referred to as maids) in Singapore ¹. Workers arriving into Singapore from overseas would typically shoulder loans worth 7 months of their salary ². This loan amount is initially paid by the employer to the maid agency, and deducted from the worker’s salary on a monthly basis until fully paid off. Workers already in Singapore and transferring to another employer can be charged between 1-2 months ³ of their salary on maid agencies fees.

Most of us employed in mainstream jobs do not incur such hefty fees. Economic hardship at home is what drives most FDWs to pursue work overseas. Incurring significant debt as part of securing a job, coupled with the pressures of being away from home and oftentimes their young children, compounds the psychological stress on these women. A worker in this situation is not only an unhappy one, but can be unproductive or taken to the extreme, could become a threat to the employer and her family.

At Anisya, we believe in promoting healthy employment relationships between employers and workers. We focus on reducing the economic burden that workers have to bear when acquiring jobs, and also fostering greater employment freedom in the FDW marketplace. In 2012, the Anisya website was launched and we eliminated agency fees payable by workers as part of providing our transfer or overseas hiring services ⁴ to employers.

Starting today, we will focus on fostering greater employment freedom through the Anisya Transfer Pledge, and we invite all employers to join us in this movement.

How does the Anisya Transfer Pledge work?

The Anisya Transfer Pledge:

I agree to provide signed consent for my worker to transfer to another employer if she does not wish to continue employment with me or asks to leave at the end of the employment contract period. This is represented as signing on the Consent to Transfer form (commonly known as the “release paper”). To the extent possible, I will allow a minimum 2 week (14 day) notice period for the worker to interview and find the next employer.

In recognition of supporting the Anisya Transfer Pledge, you will be accorded discounts on the Upgraded Anisya website service (regular price S$99 for 1 month service) . This is an upgrade from the Free version of the website and includes more powerful tools to super-charge your hiring process. To activate these discounts, we require some basic information to identify you and your worker ⁵.

Details as follows:

1. If you’ve supported a previous transfer, you can qualify for the discounted S$59 (1 month service) (Anisya Transfer Pledge). Email the following to support [at] anisya.com:

• Scan or photo of your identification card
• Scan or photo of your worker’s work permit card (showing you as employer)
• Your worker’s contact information
• We will perform a quick verification with your worker about prior employment and transfer

2. If you’re a first time employer (or have not supported a transfer before), you can qualify for the discounted S$59 (1 month service) (Anisya Transfer Pledge). Take the Anisya Transfer Pledge by emailing to support [at] anisya.com a scan or photo of your identification card.

Frequently-Asked Questions

How long will it take to activate this discount on my Employer account?
If you have supported a transfer before, we will activate this discount after confirming with your worker. If you’re a first time employer, we will typically activate your discount within 24 hours. You will be notified by email when your discount has been activated.

Is this Transfer Pledge a binding contract?
It is NOT a binding contract and we’re looking for employers to operate in accordance with the spirit of the pledge, which is to support your worker’s employment freedom and not use your signing of the release paper (a requirement to transfer) as a bargaining chip or threat.

My worker really shouldn’t transfer to another family, do I still need to abide by the Transfer Pledge?
In situations whereby your worker has infringed upon the law or if you believe she could be a a threat to the next family, please do inform us.

Any other questions? Please contact us at support [at] anisya.com

References
1. Source: MOM website
2. Source: Anisya survey of FDW salary deductions (ongoing)
3. MOM allows employment agencies to charge fees worth 1 month salary for each year of employment
4. Workers pay a $50 registration to cover costs of meeting to collect their documents
5. Terms and Conditions apply. Anisya’s decision is final on awarding discounted subscription rates