Zero tolerance means safety and dignity are not negotiable
Singapore households that employ a migrant domestic worker (MDW / FDW) must treat her lawfully and humanely. Short abuse and ill-treatment zero-tolerance rules are for employers first: no violence, no threats, no food/rest used as punishment, no sexual harassment, no humiliation as “discipline.” If she is unsafe, call 999 / 995 — then involve your licensed EA and MOM welfare channels as appropriate.
This page is an employer zero-tolerance reminder. It is general guidance only, not a police or MOM case manual. Ministry of Manpower (MOM): confirm live ill-treatment / welfare / employment rules on mom.gov.sg. Follow live police / hospital / MOM instructions when they differ.
Use neighbouring hubs for depth this page does not re-write:
- When to loop the EA (early issues): When to loop the agency into early issues
- Well-being / adequate food: Well-being and adequate food for MDWs
- Clear communication: Supporting mental health through clear communication
- House-rules sheet: Creating a simple written house rules sheet
- This article: zero-tolerance abuse / ill-treatment reminder
Hard rule: do not invent fines, jail terms, salary figures, or levy amounts from this article.
SmartMaid.com.sg is a search platform. See How Smart Maid Singapore differs from a maid agency.
Who owns zero tolerance
| Party | Role |
|---|---|
| You (employer of record) | Never abuse; stop household members who cross the line; get help fast if she is unsafe |
| Licensed EA | Aftercare / reporting support per agreement |
| Police / SCDF / clinics | Emergencies and medical care |
| MOM / welfare channels | Live employment and ill-treatment processes — confirm on mom.gov.sg |
| SmartMaid | Biodata search only |
What “ill-treatment” can include (illustrative — confirm live MOM)
- Physical violence or threats
- Sexual harassment or assault
- Withholding food, rest, or sleep as punishment (soft → #48 / rest-day flagship)
- Extreme humiliation, confinement, or degrading “discipline”
- Forcing work while seriously ill against medical advice
Performance feedback belongs on our guide First Month Performance Conversations / #27 — calm, private, tied to house rules — never violence.
If she reports harm — or you discover it
- Safety first: 999 / 995 if threat, injury, or sexual violence.
- Medical care as needed.
- Do not punish her for reporting.
- Loop licensed EA and follow MOM welfare guidance live.
- Document calmly (dates, facts) — not a revenge file.
Household members (spouse, teens, relatives) who cross the line are your problem to stop — soft link neighbour/family intro norms only as context; this page owns zero tolerance.
Employer self-check (prevention)
- House rules on our guide Creating a Simple Written House Rules Sheet never authorize hitting, shouting insults as policy, or food lockouts.
- Correct mistakes without humiliation.
- Rest days and food are not bargaining chips for anger (#48 / rest-day flagship).
- If you feel out of control, step away; call EA / support — do not escalate physically.
Written zero-tolerance do / don’t (paste onto #32)
Do
- Treat her with dignity every day
- Call 999 / 995 when unsafe
- Loop EA / MOM welfare when ill-treatment is alleged
- Allow medical care without punishment
Don’t
- Hit, threaten, sexually harass, or confine
- Use food / rest as punishment
- Invent fine amounts from this blog
- Rewrite the 301 shy-helper slug
- Ignore reports to “protect the family’s reputation”
FAQ
Is SmartMaid a maid agency that investigates abuse?
SmartMaid.com.sg is a smart maid search platform. Use police / MOM / your EA for live cases.
How is this different from looping the agency?
Our guide When to Loop the Agency Into Early Issues owns early employment friction escalation. This page owns the zero-tolerance abuse / ill-treatment reminder.
Can I quote penalties here?
Confirm live MOM / legal sources.
Soft next steps
- Paste a one-line zero-tolerance statement onto our guide Creating a Simple Written House Rules Sheet.
- Keep EA timing on #26, food dignity on #48, tone on #27.
- In an emergency call 999 / 995.
- Shortlist future hires on search maids · transfer maids only after the household can keep people safe.
General employer guidance only. Not legal advice. Confirm MOM / police / EA / clinic rules live. Emergency: 999 or 995. No fees, fines, salary, or levy amounts quoted. Never rewrite helping-a-shy-helper-settle-socially-on-rest-days (301→#26).
