CONCESSIONARY MIGRANT DOMESTIC WORKER LEVY FOR
SINGAPOREANS LIVING WITH ELDERLY OR DISABLED PARENTS WHO
ARE SINGAPORE PRS
Based on feedback that I received from our Bukit Batok residents, I filed a PQ with the Minister for Manpower asking whether concessionary Migrant Domestic Worker (“MDW”) levy of $60 per month can be extended to households where Singaporeans are residing with their elderly or disabled parents who are not Singaporeans but are Singapore PRs or LTVP holders. If you were to access the MOM’s website https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-domestic-worker/foreign-domestic-worker-levy/levy-concession , you will note that it is stated that an eligible person has to be a Singaporean. The Minister’s reply was positive! He informed that Singaporean PRs who are at least 67 years old or have disabilities will be eligible too! It may be time to update the website to reflect this fact so that eligible households will make use of the extended scope of concessionary MDW levies.
My PQ and the Minister’s reply may be accessed below.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Manpower whether the concessionary levy for a migrant domestic worker may be extended to Singaporeans who are living with their elderly or disabled parents who are not Singaporeans but are Singapore permanent residents or Long-Term Visit Pass holders.
Dr Tan See Leng: As part of the support measures for Singaporeans needing care, employers of migrant domestic worker (MDW) enjoy the concessionary levy rate of $60 if they are living in the same household as a Singaporean who is a young child below 16 years old, an elderly person who is at least 67 years old, and/or a person with disabilities, that is, those who always require some assistance with at least one Activity of Daily Living.
The levy concession is also extended in certain circumstances where the person needing care is a Singapore Permanent Resident (PR), taking into consideration their long-term commitment to Singapore. This is the case where Singaporean MDW employers are living with their PR parent who is at least 67 years old or who has disabilities.
The levy concession is not applicable if the person needing care is a foreigner, including those on Long-Term Visit Pass. This is aligned to other government schemes, where non-residents generally do not receive as many government benefits compared to citizens or PRs. Households in need of financial assistance can approach Social Service Offices for support.
