FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How to calculate my company quota
A: Quota are determined by which sector your CPF account belongs to
Common sectors are Service, Manufacturing, Construction, Marine and Process
MOM quota calculator: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-worker/foreign-worker-levy/calculate-foreign-worker-quota
Q: What is the cost of hiring a migrant worker
A: Common costs to expect while hiring a migrant worker are
Monthly
• Levy (depending on the type of sector and passes) https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-worker/foreign-worker-levy/what-is-the-foreign-worker-levy
• Basic salary + OT
• Accommodation (dormitory ranges from $300 to $400 per pax)
• Transportation for work (estimate $200 per pax, usually for CMP sectors)
Yearly
• Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) (estimate $400 to $500 depending on work nature)
• Medical Insurance (MI) (estimate $80 to $120)
• Primary Care Plan (PCP) (estimate $108 to $138)
One time
• SHN related/On-boarding cost (based on MOM current guideline)
• Repatriation ticket cost (estimated $400 to $800)
• Medical check-up cost (estimated $40 to $50)
• CSOC/MSOC cost (estimated $100 to $120)
• Operation and administrative cost
Q: How to source for migrant worker approved accommodation
A: MOM approved dormitory: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-worker/housing/migrant-worker-dormitories#/
Dormitories are usually for male migrant workers from CMP sectors
For non-CMP sectors or S-pass/Employment migrant workers, you may consider
• HDB
• Condominium/Apartment
• Hostel/Hotel
Q: How to book the flight for my migrant worker to go home
A: You may book from any online booking platform
• Indian usually travels by Air India Express(IX) or Air Asia(AK)
• Bangladeshi usually travel by Biman Air(BG) or US Bangla Air(BS)
• Burmese usually travel by Myanmar Airways(MAI) or Air Asia(AK)
• Chinese (PRC) usually travel by Scoot(TR) or China Eastern(MU) or China Southern(CZ)
Q: Repatriation guidelines for migrant worker
A: MOM repatriation guideline: https://www.mom.gov.sg/-/media/mom/documents/covid-19/posters/sending-workers-home/sending-your-workers-home.pdf
For assistance with employment or salary disputes: https://www.tal.sg/tadm/eservices/employees-file-employment-claim
Q: How to calculate migrant worker salary
A: Employers are encouraged to follow MOM method of salary calculation
| For this category of employee | Hourly basic rate of pay is |
| Monthly-rated employee | (12 x Monthly basic rate of pay) / (52 x 44) |
| Daily-rated employee | Daily pay at the basic rate / Working hours per day |
MOM method of salary calculation: https://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-practices/hours-of-work-overtime-and-rest-days
Q: How to register and renew migrant worker Coretrade
A: MOM approved training centre: https://www.mom.gov.sg/-/media/mom/documents/safety-health/lists/approved-training-organisations-wsq.pdf
Q: What approve source of country of migrant worker am I allow to hire
A: The approve source of country for work permit allowed to hire depends on the sector your business was registered under
In short summary (subjected to sector specific rules)
• Service: TS, NAS and PRC
• Manufacturing: TS, NAS and PRC
• Construction: TS, NAS, PRC and NTS
• Marine: TS, NAS, PRC and NTS
• Process: TS, NAS, PRC and NTS
Q: How newly set-up company hire migrant worker
A: To begin with, you need to complete the following
• Company incorporation
• Bank account opening
• CPF account opening
• Corp pass registration
• WPOL/EPOL registration
Different sector has its own sector-specific rules requirements
Q: What type of migrant worker suits my business operation
A: Every business needs to identify what type of workforce is suitable for your operation
Hiring the wrong candidate doesn’t only impact on productivity but also creates negative consequences financially.
Q: What is Man-Year Entitlement (MYE) and Prior Approval (PA)
A: The MYE is a Work Permit allocation system for workers from non-traditional source (NTS) countries and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) from Construction and Process sector
MOM Man-year entitlement (MYE): https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/work-permit-for-foreign-worker/sector-specific-rules/man-year-entitlement
MYE(PA) has 2 functions
1. Can be use to hire migrant worker
2. Can be use for BCA SEC(K) testing in overseas testing centre
Q: Can I send my workers for BCA SEC(K) test in BCA overseas training and testing centre?
A: Yes, the duration ranges from 45 days to 60 days from the day migrant workers report to their respective overseas training and testing centre
BCA Overseas Testing: https://www.bca.gov.sg/otc/otc_main.html
Q: What are the common employment disputes between employers and migrant worker
A:
• Unfair employment contract
• Salary calculation (including OT)
• Deduction and penalties
• Scope of work and responsibilities
• Termination notice
• Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) condition
Employers are encouraged to follow MOM KET guideline
MOM KET: https://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-practices/contract-of-service/key-employment-terms
Q: What is Employment Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA)
A: The Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) regulates the employment of foreign employees and protects their well-being. Find out what it covers and your key responsibilities as an employer under the Act.
The Employment of Foreign Manpower Act prescribes the responsibilities and obligations for employing foreign employees in Singapore
MOM EFMA: https://www.mom.gov.sg/legislation/employment-of-foreign-manpower-act
Q: Why use employment agency
Employment agency has in-depth understanding in terms of employment, insight of labour market demand and supply situation, greater candidate sourcing network, knowledgeable in MOM policy and sector-specific rules and capabilities in providing solution and opinion in employment related situation
Q: Will employment agency cause threat to in-house HR department
Employment agency is the support pillar for HR department