How to Pay Your Domestic Helper’s Salary in Singapore
Learn when and how to pay a domestic helper in Singapore, set up bank transfers, keep salary records, avoid unlawful deductions and document pay changes.
Paying a migrant domestic worker (MDW) correctly is a monthly employer obligation, not an informal household expense. Build a repeatable process: define the salary period, pay the full declared amount by the deadline, use a personal bank account when requested, keep evidence and let the helper control her own money. A simple system protects both parties from missed payments and later disputes.
The salary rule in one minute
MOM’s salary guidelines for domestic workers say the salary period must not exceed one month. The employer must pay every month, no later than seven days after the last day of the salary period, and the salary cannot be lower than the amount declared to MOM. If the period is 1–30 September, for example, payment must reach the helper no later than 7 October.
| Item | What the employer should do | Evidence to retain |
|---|---|---|
| Salary period | Set a period of no more than 1 month | Written contract or salary schedule |
| Deadline | Pay within 7 days after the period ends | Bank timestamp or signed cash record |
| Amount | Pay at least the salary declared to MOM | Transfer amount and salary record |
| Payment method | Use direct bank transfer if the helper requests it | Transaction reference |
| Account control | Use her personal account; do not hold her card or money | Helper retains her credentials and access |
| Changes | Document any reduction and notify MOM before it takes effect | Written consent and eService confirmation |
Choose a fixed salary period and payday
Write the salary period and normal payment date into the employment contract. A fixed date—such as the last day of the month—makes budgeting easier, but the legal deadline is still measured from the end of the agreed salary period. Schedule payment early enough to absorb weekends, public holidays or bank delays. Do not treat the seventh day as the target date.
Keep salary separate from rest-day compensation, reimbursements and genuine bonuses so each amount is understandable. MOM says payment for working on an agreed rest day is additional and is not part of basic salary. Label transfer references consistently, for example “Sep salary” and “Sep rest-day pay”, without placing sensitive identity details in the description.
Bank transfer is the clearest default
MOM encourages direct payment into the helper’s bank account and requires it if she asks. The account should belong to her and must not be joint with the employer. A standing instruction reduces missed dates and creates independent evidence, but check that the account remains active and that the transfer actually succeeded.
- Help the helper open a personal account if she wants one; do not make yourself a joint holder.
- Confirm the account number privately and avoid circulating it in a family group chat.
- Set the transfer several days before the deadline and review failed-payment alerts.
- Share a payment confirmation that shows the date and amount but masks unnecessary account data.
- Let the helper keep her own bank card, bank book, password and mobile-banking access.
- Reconcile the salary record monthly instead of reconstructing it when employment ends.
If you pay cash, use a signed record every time
Cash remains possible, but MOM requires the employer to keep salary-payment records and be able to produce them when requested. Both employer and helper must sign each cash payment record. Sign only after the cash is counted and handed over; never ask the helper to sign blank rows or acknowledge money she has not received.
| Field | Example format | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Salary period | 1–30 September 2026 | Shows which work month was paid |
| Basic salary | $___ | Can be checked against the declared amount |
| Rest-day compensation | $___, listed separately | Avoids hiding additional pay inside salary |
| Other agreed payment | Bonus or reimbursement: $___ | Explains any amount above salary |
| Payment date and method | 3 October 2026, cash | Proves timing and method |
| Acknowledgement | Employer and helper signatures | Confirms the completed cash handover |
Do not safekeep the helper’s money
Since 1 January 2019, employers must not hold a helper’s salary or other money even if she asks. MOM’s salary-safekeeping FAQ explains that employers should not have access to employees’ personal bank accounts. Offer a lockable storage space and help her learn safe banking or remittance practices, but keep control of her money with her.
Separate prohibited deductions from a documented placement loan
MOM’s guide on paying salary on time and in full says the declared salary should be paid without deductions for medical expenses, repatriation or compulsory training. Do not deduct for food, accommodation, damaged equipment or performance penalties. Where a placement loan is legitimately recovered, the fixed amount, duration and method must be stated clearly in the employment contract; do not invent new charges mid-employment.
Handle salary changes before they take effect
Review pay when duties materially expand or strong performance and loyalty warrant recognition. MOM suggests considering periodic increases and a mutually agreed contract gratuity. If salary increases, MOM currently says no notification is needed. If it decreases, the employer must first obtain written consent and then update MOM through the FDW eService before reducing it, as set out on the notify MOM page. Never use threatened salary cuts to manage performance.
How this guide avoids overlap
This page owns the operational intent “how to pay helper salary”: monthly deadlines, bank transfer, cash records, account control and pay changes. Use the daily salary calculator guide for pro-rating and rest-day arithmetic, the salary and total-cost guide for budgeting, and the rest-day rules guide for the weekly entitlement.
Sources and review note
Reviewed on 15 September 2026 against MOM’s salary, timely-payment, salary-safekeeping, contract, rest-day and notification guidance. Payment rules and eService steps may change; verify the linked MOM pages and the employment contract before acting.
Frequently asked questions
When must I pay my domestic helper’s salary?
MOM says the salary period must not exceed one month and the helper must be paid every month, no later than seven days after the last day of that salary period. The amount must not be lower than the salary declared to MOM.
Must I pay my helper by bank transfer?
MOM encourages direct payment into the helper’s personal bank account and requires direct bank transfer if she requests it. Her account should not be a joint account with the employer, and she must retain her own bank book, card and account access.
Can I deduct damaged items or medical bills from my helper’s salary?
MOM says the employer must pay the full salary declared and should not deduct employer responsibilities such as medical expenses, repatriation or compulsory training, or use deductions as penalties for performance or damaged household items. A documented placement-loan recovery is a separate arrangement that must be clearly stated in the employment contract.
Official references
These primary references support the guide. A verification date is shown only after a dated editorial review.
- Salary guidelines for migrant domestic workers — Ministry of Manpower Singapore (checked 15 Sept 2026)
- Why employers should not help employees save part of their salary — Ministry of Manpower Singapore (checked 15 Sept 2026)
- Paying your helper’s salary on time and in full — Ministry of Manpower Singapore (checked 15 Sept 2026)
- Notify MOM of changes during an MDW’s employment — Ministry of Manpower Singapore (checked 15 Sept 2026)
- Contracts and safety agreement for migrant domestic workers — Ministry of Manpower Singapore (checked 15 Sept 2026)
- Rest days and well-being for migrant domestic workers — Ministry of Manpower Singapore (checked 15 Sept 2026)