MOM does not require employers to pay for a helper's phone or mobile plan, and it sets no rule on phone costs. MOM's guidance is that her phone is her personal property and she should have access to it, with reasonable house rules on when she uses it. A practical approach is to agree in writing who pays for the line and data, and to set clear no-phone times for safety-critical tasks such as cooking, childcare and giving medicine.
What MOM's guidance says
- A mobile phone is the helper's personal property, and she should have access to it. It is her link to family at home.
- Reasonable rules are fine. MOM's Ask Jaya column suggests limiting use during tasks that need full concentration: cooking, cleaning, caring for children or elderly people, and giving medicine.
- Agree a schedule for calls home, allowing for different time zones and the odd urgent call.
- Remind her not to share photos, videos or personal details of your family or home without permission.
Source: Ask Jaya: giving your MDW access to her phone.
Who pays: the main options
- She pays her own plan. Simple, and the line is fully hers.
- You pay a fixed monthly amount. MOM counts basic salary plus fixed monthly allowances as monthly salary, so a fixed phone allowance becomes part of her salary. Stopping it later needs her written consent and an update to MOM. See What counts as an MDW's monthly salary.
- You provide a line for work use. Useful for contacting her about the children or errands. Agree what personal use is allowed.
Whichever you choose, write it into the employment contract or a signed house-rules note.
Things to avoid
- Do not take her phone away as a rule. MOM's guidance stresses how isolating that is.
- Do not keep her bank card or bank book to "help" her pay a phone bill. MOM says employers must not keep her money, bank book or card, even if she asks. See Salary guidelines.
Scams on her phone
MOM warns that helpers are targeted by phishing, love and loan scams. Suggest she installs the ScamShield app, and tell her the ScamShield helpline is 1799 and MOM's helpline for MDWs is 1800-339-5505. See Staying safe from scams.
Related guides
- When your helper wants a mobile line in her own name
- Utility costs when your helper uses appliances
- House rules documentation to keep on file
This is a practical guide, not MOM. Rules and fees change, so confirm the current position on mom.gov.sg before you act. Last reviewed: 11 October 2026.
