Salary Increment Reviews After One Year of Employment

MOM does not require an annual pay rise for a helper, but it does suggest employers consider raising salary periodically to reward good performance and loyalty, and consider a contract gratuity paid when the contract ends. If you raise her salary, you do not need to tell MOM. If you ever reduce it, you need her written consent and must update MOM in FDW eService first. A one-year review is a sensible point to do this.

What MOM says about pay rises

• Consider raising salary periodically for good performance and loyalty.
• Consider a contract gratuity, agreed by both of you, paid when she finishes her contract.
• No need to inform MOM of an increase.

Sources: Paying the salary of an FDW and Notify MOM of changes.

Running the one-year review

1. Pick a quiet time and tell her in advance what you will talk about.
2. Cover the work honestly: what went well, what needs work, and any change in duties, such as a new baby or an elderly parent moving in.
3. Ask for her view. Rest days, workload, anything she finds hard.
4. Agree the outcome in writing: the new salary and start month, or the reason for no change and when you will look again.
5. Pay the new amount from the agreed month, still within 7 days after the end of each salary period.

Increment, allowance or bonus?

• Basic salary increase: becomes part of her monthly salary going forward.
• Fixed monthly allowance: MOM counts basic salary plus fixed monthly allowances as monthly salary, so removing it later is a salary reduction that needs her written consent and an update to MOM.
• Gratuity at contract end: MOM suggests it as a way to reward completing the contract.

Renewal is a natural checkpoint

MOM sends the renewal letter about 8 weeks before the Work Permit expires. Many families review pay, rest days and leave at the same time, and update the employment contract. See Renew a Work Permit.

Related guides

• Maid salary negotiation in Singapore
• Maid salary and total cost in Singapore
• Work Permit renewal timeline

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.