Expanding Exceptions to Concessions for Levies on Foreign Domestic Workers
Ministry of ManpowerSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns expanding levy concessions for foreign domestic workers (FDWs) for families where a disabled member requires two caregivers, as raised by Mr Christopher de Souza. Minister for Manpower Josephine Teo stated that while MOM permits hiring two FDWs on a case-by-case basis, the $60 monthly concessionary levy applies to only one worker to maintain fairness. To support care-giving costs, she noted that the Home Caregiving Grant offers a $200 monthly payout for individuals with permanent moderate disabilities. Minister for Manpower Josephine Teo also highlighted the Care-givers Training Grant, which provides a $200 annual subsidy for employers to train their FDWs in care-giving. She concluded that the Government will continue reviewing and improving home-based support measures for persons with disabilities and their care-givers.
Transcript
37 Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Manpower whether the Ministry will consider expanding exceptions to concessions for levies on foreign domestic workers to help care-givers cope with situations where a disabled family member requires at least two persons to carry out any activities of daily living.
Mrs Josephine Teo: The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) recognises that there could be instances where families with care-giving duties would require two foreign domestic workers (FDW) to help care for persons with disabilities. Hence, on a case-by-case basis, the Ministry approves the work permit applications of up to two FDWs for one care recipient. However, each care recipient is eligible for the concessionary levy of $60 per month for only one FDW. This is to be fair to all employers whose care-giving needs vary.
The Government provides further support for households who may need help to defray care-giving costs. For example, the Ministry of Health provides a Home Caregiving Grant (HCG), which is a monthly cash payout of $200 to defray the cost of care-giving for individuals with permanent moderate disability. The HCG payout can be used flexibly for different care-giving expenses, including the cost of hiring an FDW. FDW employers who wish to train their FDWs in care-giving can also tap the Care-givers Training Grant which is an annual training subsidy of $200 for each care recipient.
The Government will continue to review and improve the range of home-based support measures to meet the needs of persons with disabilities and their care-givers.