Why Levy Stays When Maid Seeks Transfer
- The Straits Times, 09 June 2007
Please refer to the letter, “Cancel work permit when maid seeks new employer” (The Straits Times, 5 June 2007) by Mrs Chan Choy Yoke, who asked why employers have to continue to pay the monthly levy after the Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) has asked for change of employer.
2. Employers are responsible for their FDWs until they are repatriated or transferred to another employer. This responsibility cannot be passed on to another party. Hence, the employer has to continue paying the monthly levy.
Cancel Work Permit When Maid Seeks New Employer
- The Straits Times, 05 June 2007
In the event that a maid asks for a transfer, the foreign-maid levy should not be borne by her employer as the maid is no longer working for the household.
At times, a maid agency takes more than 18 days to complete a transfer.
In addition to the levy, the employer has to pay the agency's transfer commission even though the transfer is not initiated by the employer.
Secondly, the work permit should be cancelled as the maid no longer works for the employer.
Why make the employer responsible for the maid? Some have been known to run away while waiting to be re-employed.
May I suggest that the Ministry of Manpower issue a temporary permit to the agency, while it seeks a new employer for the maid, and cancel the work permit once the maid leaves the employer. Hence, no levy will be payable