Before you welcome a domestic helper into your home, it makes sense to know a bit about her working background. One of the most useful steps you can take is to look up her Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) employment history through MOM’s official portal. In Inter Great, we provide our employers with this official employment history record if the candidate worked in Singapore before, saving employers time and hassle to check.
This guide explains what the employment history record shows, how to run the check, what to look for, and how to make sense of what you find.
Quick Answer: You can check an MDW’s employment history through MOM’s official portal online. The record shows previous work permit details, the duration of past placements, and permit status history. Reviewing this before hiring helps you verify your helper’s stated background and spot patterns that may warrant a closer conversation before you commit to a placement.
What Is MDW Employment History?
MDW employment history is a record maintained by MOM that tracks the work permits previously issued to a Migrant Domestic Worker in Singapore. It shows which employers she has worked under, how long each permit was valid, and whether any permits were cancelled before their expiry date.
This is not a performance review. MOM’s records are administrative, not qualitative. The system captures permit-related data, not a subjective assessment of the helper’s work quality or character. However, the pattern of her employment over time, how long each placement lasted, how often she has changed employers, and whether there were any early cancellations, can give you a reasonable starting picture of her working history in Singapore.
Why It Matters Before You Hire
When you’re bringing someone into your home to look after your family, your children, or your elderly parents, it’s reasonable to do your homework. Checking the MDW’s employment history helps you:
– Verify whether her stated work history matches MOM’s records
– Spot patterns of very short tenures that might indicate recurring conflicts or performance concerns
– Identify if a permit was cancelled early and understand whether that is worth discussing
– See whether she has worked consistently in Singapore or had extended periods away
Not every short placement is a warning sign. Employers relocate, family circumstances change, and some helpers take breaks between placements. The employment history record is a starting point for conversation, not a verdict.
How to Check an FDW’s Employment History: Step-by-Step
MOM provides a check on the MDW’s employment history function through its online services. Here’s how to use it:
Step 1: Go to MOM’s WP Online portal
Visit mom.gov.sg and navigate to the WP Online section. Log in using your SingPass.
Step 2: Access the Foreign Worker Enquiry Service
This service is available to employers and licensed employment agencies. It allows you to look up a foreign worker’s permit records.
Step 3: Enter the Helper’s Details
You will need her FIN, or work permit number, or passport number and date of birth to run the search.
Step 4: Review the Records
The results will show her work permit history in Singapore, including permit validity periods and employment duration.
Step 5: Cross-Reference with Her Stated History
Compare the MOM records with what the helper has listed in her biodata. Any significant discrepancies should be raised directly.
Step 6: Discuss Findings with Your Agency
If you are using a maid agency, share your observations with them. Reputable agencies will have already run their own checks, but a second look never hurts.
The system does not show the reason behind every cancellation. You cannot determine certainly from the records alone whether a helper left because she chose to, because the employer asked her to go, or for some other reason entirely. Getting that context requires speaking with her directly.
Red Flags Worth Discussing
While no single data point gives you the full picture, certain patterns in an MDW’s employment history are worth exploring further:
- Multiple employers in a short time.
If the record shows three or more placements within two years, ask why each one ended.
- Very short tenures.
A permit cancelled within the first few months of issuance, particularly if this appears more than once, is worth asking about directly.
- Inconsistencies with her stated history.
If her biodata says she worked at a particular household for two years, but the permit record shows nine months, ask about it.
What to Do If Something Looks Unusual
If your check raises questions, here’s a sensible approach:
- Ask the helper directly.
A genuine, clear explanation is reassuring. Evasiveness or inconsistency is worth noting. Most helpers who have nothing to hide are perfectly comfortable discussing their employment record.
- Ask your maid agency for context.
A reputable agency will have screened the helper’s background and should be able to provide additional information about any placements that look unusual.
- Look for alternative candidate if you feel unsure.
There’s no need to rush into a placement if you still have unanswered questions. The right helper for your household is worth waiting for.
How Inter Great Screens MDW Backgrounds for You
When you hire through Inter Great Employment, our recruitment consultants run their own checks on each helper’s employment history as part of our standard screening process. We cross-reference MOM records against the helper’s stated background, and we flag anything that warrants closer review before presenting her to you.
A complex history does not automatically disqualify a helper. Our job is to give you a clear, honest picture of who you are considering, along with the context you need to make the right decision for your family.
Conclusion About Checking An MDW’s Employment History
Taking a few minutes to check an MDW’s employment history before hiring is one of the simplest forms of due diligence available to you as an employer. It costs nothing, it takes very little time, and it gives you an additional layer of confidence before welcoming someone new into your home.
If you’d rather have this done by people who do it every day, Inter Great Employment Pte Ltd (MOM EA Licence No: 14C6931) handles thorough background screening for every helper we place. By the time you sit down for an interview, you’re already working from a shortlist of candidates whose histories have been reviewed and verified.
Contact us today to find out how we can help.
(Disclaimer by Inter Great: All above information and/or monetary figures are meant for reference only. Please refer to MOM’s official website for updated and accurate information, or approach and consult our recruitment consultant if you need professional advice and consultation.)
Frequently Asked Questions About Checking An FDW’s Employment History
Is Checking MDW’s Employment History Free?
Yes, this service on MOM’s portal is free to use for employers and licensed employment agencies. There is no charge to check a helper’s work permit history.
Can I Hire a Helper With Multiple Past Employers?
Yes, having multiple past employers is not automatically a disqualifying factor. What matters more is the context behind each change and whether the helper can provide a clear, credible explanation for her history.
Can a Maid Agency Check FDW’s Employment History on My Behalf?
Yes. Licensed maid agencies have access to the MOM portal and typically check employment histories as part of their screening process. Reputable agencies like Inter Great Employment do this before presenting candidates to potential employers.