Why transfer MDWs deserve a fair shot — and how employers can give them one

There is a quiet assumption that follows many transfer migrant domestic workers in Singapore: that something must have gone wrong. A previous employer let them go, so the thinking goes, and that must mean something about the worker herself.

It usually does not.

Transfers happen for all kinds of reasons. Employers relocate overseas. Families downsize. Elderly parents pass away and households no longer need full-time help. Sometimes a genuine mismatch in expectations develops — on both sides — and both parties agree a change makes sense. The Ministry of Manpower's own data consistently shows that the majority of transfers are employer-initiated, not worker-initiated.

Yet transfer workers often find themselves at a disadvantage in the job market. Some agencies steer employers away from them. Some employers skip their profiles without a second look. This matters because transfer workers are, in many ways, the most job-ready candidates available.

What transfer workers actually bring

A transfer MDW has already navigated the real demands of working in a Singapore home. She knows how HDB kitchens are organised. She has managed a local employer's schedule, dietary preferences, and household routines. She has likely cared for children or elderly family members in a real setting — not just in training.

She has also already passed her medical screenings, completed her settling-in programme, and is legally permitted to work in Singapore. For employers, this means a shorter adjustment period and a faster start.

What employers should actually ask

Instead of asking why did her last employer let her go, the more useful questions are: What tasks did she handle day to day? What did she enjoy? What was difficult? What does she want in her next role?

These questions give you real information. They also signal to the worker that you are approaching this relationship with respect — which is the foundation of any household that works well.

It is also worth speaking with her directly, not just through an agent. A short conversation tells you far more than a profile sheet.

A note on timing

Transfer workers are typically available within two to four weeks. For employers who need help quickly — after a maternity leave, a family health crisis, or a sudden household change — this is a meaningful advantage over waiting months for a new arrival.

At Anisya, transfer MDWs can be found directly by employers without agent markups or middlemen. Workers set their own profiles. Employers can message them directly. The process is straightforward because it should be.