Regulation on Freelance Confinement Nannies Working in Singapore Without an Employment Agency Contract

42 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what is the policy rationale for allowing foreign freelance confinement nannies to work in Singapore without a contract with an employment agency; and (b) whether the Ministry has considered introducing a mandatory licensing framework for these nannies, including requirements for formal training, professional conduct standards and a public register of licensed practitioners.

Dr Tan See Leng: All migrant workers, including migrant domestic workers and confinement nannies, must have a valid Work Permit to work in Singapore. Employers may apply for the necessary work permits directly with the Ministry of Manpower or through an Employment Agency (EA). This provides flexibility for employers, who can self-help to hire directly without incurring the additional costs of engaging an EA.

Like other home-based care arrangements such as babysitters, confinement nanny services are private arrangements that employers source on their own. These arrangements are decentralised, varied and highly personalised in nature due to the diversity of home environments and employers' needs. Hence, they are not amenable to standardisation and regulation.