MOM looking at revising maid levies

MOM looking at revising maid levies

SINGAPORE - Maid levies could be revised again, say industry players, as the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has called for a rare closed-door discussion next week on the issue. The ministry sent an e-mail earlier this month inviting maid agents and other interested parties to a meeting to seek their views on the fee, sources told The Straits Times on July 23.

The invitation was a surprise, said agents. Such a discussion had not been called for many years, they said. When the authorities revised the levy previously, agents found out only through official announcements.

Agents believe that the meeting on July 30 at the ministry would likely lead to a reduction in the tax, the first since 2007 when it went down from $295 to $265.

This meeting comes on the heels of growing concerns over the dwindling supply of foreign maids and increasing demand from helpers to be given higher salaries. Employers have to pay the Government a monthly maid levy which is meant to moderate the demand and inflow of maids.


Get a copy of tabla! for more stories.

This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.