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MDWs - Getting Permission to Travel Outside of Singapore

Writer's picture: Jennifer YarbroughJennifer Yarbrough

Updated: Jan 11

Every year there are a few helpers whose families get very upset to find out that they traveled overseas without permission. Sometimes the helpers lie about it, sometimes they lie by omission. To the employers, it feels like a breach of trust. What should you do if you want to travel with your friends?


Ask first

Out of respect for your employers, you should ask their permission first. Some think if they hop on a ferry to Bintan for the day, or cross over to Malaysia for a short trip to Legoland, the employers should have no issue with it and it's their private business, however, this is not the case for good reason.


What if you get in an accident while away? What if you take the ferry to Batam and it sinks? Who will pay for your medical bills, your transport back, and any ongoing medical or mental health issues you may have afterwards? While there is usually a small benefit (Income provides 3000 in medical insurance while overseas), a hospitalization from a car accident could cost 50k or more. If your employer didn't even know about this trip, should they be held accountable for it?


What if they say no? Then you don't go, it's that simple. Maybe they might have a condition for it, such as you must buy travel insurance with your own money. That's pretty reasonable, I feel. However, better to ask first to make sure you're covered.



Traveler's handbag


Why would they say no?

In addition to the insurance factor, if you are supposed to be tending to your responsibilities at their home, and you take off on vacation, without your employer's permission, on what should be a work day, there is the problem of your collecting a salary for days you're not working. We have known helpers who have traveled to Malaysia with their friends during the summer while their employer was overseas on vacation. They were being paid to mind the house, but they left it unattended for four days. Needless to say, they lost their job when the employer found out.


The employers may also have deliveries they are expecting, or pets to care for in the home. My own helper once left for an overnight trip to Batam to meet up with a man, while we were away on vacation. She left our dog crying. The neighbors told us the dog cried by the door all night long. Needless to say we didn't trust her after that.



Taking a girls' trip


What are the consequences?

While you can technically go overseas without asking permission, ICA won't stop you, there may be consequences to face at home when you return. Employers can fire you for breaching their trust. They may keep you on but stop trusting you.


One helper we knew would take overnight trips to KL on a flight with her boyfriend on days when there were public holidays tied next to their off days. The employer felt this was a breach of trust, and even though she would have allowed it, she felt it was deceptive to do this behind her back. The employer had been following her helper on social media and found out when she posted the photos from the airport.


If you go to the Philippines and you are Philippino, you may not be able to return if you do not have your OEC in place. This can be a very costly mistake, it can cost thousands to fix this mistake once you have already gone home.


There are good reasons to ask permission first before you travel. Make sure your employer is on board first before you explore the wonderful nearby countries in our region.



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