Woman Clarifies Misconceptions: Domestic Workers Can’t Be Banned from Singapore Without Due Cause

SINGAPORE: A woman recently addressed some common misunderstandings about the blacklisting and banning of foreign domestic workers (FDWs) in Singapore. In a social media post to a support group for both employers and domestic helpers, she explained, “I’ve seen a lot of comments suggesting that helpers can be banned from working in Singapore just because their employers don’t like them. This isn’t true.”

The woman pointed out that some domestic helpers are anxious about being banned if they are disliked by their employers or denied transfer approvals. However, she clarified, “Some helpers are hearing from others that employers or agencies can easily give negative feedback to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to get them banned. But MOM does not issue bans without valid reasons such as proven criminal offenses or misconduct against laws in Singapore.”

According to MOM guidelines, FDWs may only be banned if there is sufficient evidence of misconduct or a criminal offense under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. For employers dissatisfied with an employment agency (EA), MOM provides a directory with agency ratings and demerit records. Moreover, the employment history of FDWs is available to prospective employers through the MOM’s Work Permit Online system.

A separate post raised further questions about blacklisting. A helper shared her friend’s experience, where an agency informed her she was ineligible for a work pass. She asked if it’s possible for blacklisted FDWs to reapply in the future, wondering if any restrictions were time-limited. MOM’s rules remain clear: eligibility depends on individual case circumstances and prior records.