Maid’s employer asks, ‘Do Singapore employers give their Christian maids a bonus day off on Christmas Eve?’

SINGAPORE: As December creeps in with fairy lights and festive cheer, one Singaporean employer is sparking conversation about something rarely addressed: Should Christian maids get a bonus day off on Christmas Eve?

In a Facebook post to the Direct Hire Transfer Singapore Maid/Domestic Helper group, the employer candidly asked, “Do Singapore employers give their Christian maids a bonus day off on Christmas Eve? I know it’s not mandated by MOM (Ministry of Manpower).”

From heartfelt gratitude to bittersweet honesty, domestic helpers across the island shared stories of their employers, past and present—some heartwarming, others hard-hitting.

“My ex-employer gave me 1 month’s salary bonus + a gift money for my kids,” shared one helper. “But my new employer… I don’t know yet, cos even bread she doesn’t want to provide for my breakfast.”

Another helper recalled receiving a “Christmas holiday gift of $10.” It wasn’t the amount, but the gesture that counted for her.

“I get a 2-month bonus every year,” said one helper, while another said, “My bonus is an air ticket and $500 with a yearly holiday in the Philippines for 2 weeks. I also get an advance salary.”

And such generosity from such employers wasn’t just reserved for Christians. “Yes, I get cash too, even though I am Muslim, I still get a bonus on Xmas!” one helper shared about her good fortune.

Others said that while bonuses are nice, dignity matters more. “Never mind the bonus, it’s not in the contract either. The important thing is employers give us PEACE OF MIND and treat us like FAMILY,” one commented—punctuating it with a truth many in the group resonate with.

Then there was the helper who dropped a Santa-sized list of generous perks from her previous employer:

“My employer gave me a gift during Christmas: 30% extra on my salary, 40% CNY, and 50% on my birthday upon contract completion. 1st contract, 1 month salary, 2nd contract, 2 months salary, 3rd contract, not renew. Last 4 months’ salary and half…” and she ended it with a powerful line: “Even if not mandatory, if employers have a conscience, then they will give heartily.”

Hearing all this, the rest of the helpers in the group were saddened about their not-so-fortunate reality: “No holiday bonus, no Xmas bonus for me. No day off also for any holiday and Christmas holiday… I work, no pay,” one said.

Ultimately, the group consensus echoed the same sentiment: It’s up to the employer. “If you think that your helper is good, then give her a bonus.”

And while MOM doesn’t mandate holiday cash bonuses or Christmas Eve day-offs, the unwritten rule is that generosity and kindness never go out of season.

Read related: Maid’s employer asks, ‘What would be the best Christmas gift for my helper?’ — SG maids on Facebook say, ‘Cash or gold!’