Before you welcome a helper into your home, Singapore asks first-time and changing employers to complete a short programme designed to set you up for success. It is called the Employers’ Orientation Programme, usually shortened to EOP. If you are new to all this, do not worry, it is straightforward, and this quick guide explains who needs it, when to do it, and why it genuinely helps you.
What is the EOP?
The Employers’ Orientation Programme is a short programme that helps prospective employers of Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs) understand their roles and responsibilities before bringing a helper home. It walks you through the practical realities of being an employer in Singapore, from costs and obligations to how to build a healthy working relationship, so that you start with realistic expectations and confidence.
Who needs to attend
The EOP is generally required if you are a first-time employer of a helper, or if you are changing helpers. The idea is to make sure that anyone taking on this responsibility, whether for the first time or after a gap, is properly oriented before the employment begins. If you are unsure whether it applies to your particular situation, check MOM or ask your agency, as requirements can be updated.
When to complete it
Timing is important here. The EOP needs to be completed before you submit your Work Permit application for the helper. In practical terms, that makes it one of the first things to tick off when you decide to hire, rather than something to deal with later. Getting it done early keeps your whole application moving smoothly without any avoidable delays.
Plan the EOP early. Because it is generally required before the Work Permit application can proceed, completing it at the very start of your hiring journey keeps everything on schedule.
What the programme covers
While MOM sets the exact content, the EOP broadly prepares you for the responsibilities ahead. You can typically expect it to touch on areas such as:
- Your legal obligations as an employer, including the levy, the security bond and providing for your helper’s upkeep and wellbeing.
- Your helper’s rights and entitlements, including rest days and proper working conditions.
- Safety at home and the importance of not asking your helper to perform unsafe tasks.
- How to build a respectful, communicative relationship that works well for both sides.
Why it is worth your time
It is tempting to view the EOP as just another requirement, but it is genuinely useful. Many first-time employers underestimate the day-to-day realities of having a helper, and a clear understanding up front prevents misunderstandings, friction and stress later on. Going in well-prepared is good for you and good for your helper, and it lays the groundwork for a long, positive working relationship.
How the EOP fits into the bigger picture
The EOP is the first of several steps in bringing a helper to Singapore. After it, you submit the Work Permit application and receive the In-Principle Approval, your helper arrives, a first-time helper attends the Settling-In Programme, the medical and issuance steps are completed, and the permit is then maintained with 6-monthly medicals and renewed in due course. Seeing the EOP as the start of that path helps you keep everything in order from the beginning.
When in doubt, check the source
Exact requirements, formats and any exemptions can change over time, so do check MOM for the current requirement before you proceed. This article is general guidance and not legal advice, and the MOM website is always the definitive reference.
How Ming Hwee helps
At Ming Hwee, a licensed MOM Employment Agency (Licence 12C6072), we make sure the EOP and every step that follows is completed in the right order and on time, so your hiring journey is smooth from the very first task. We will guide you through what to do, when, and why, and keep your application on track. This is general guidance only, so always verify the latest details on the MOM website. When you are ready to begin, find your helper with us, or simply message us on WhatsApp and we will help you get started.
Related guides
- Off-Day Rules: Compensation vs Rest Day in Lieu
- The 6-Monthly Medical Examination (6ME): A Simple Guide
- The Settling-In Programme (SIP): What Employers Should Know
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