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21st November 2022 by 5 Min Read
https://expatliving.sg/we-are-caring-maid-agency-for-hiring-a-helper-in-singapore/
When hiring a helper in Singapore it’s important to get it right. That’s why many expats turn to a maid agency for assistance. We Are Caring is an employment agency that specialises in matching families with the best helper to suit their needs. In fact, according to CEO and co-founder DAVID BENSADON, We Are Caring is the first entirely online helper employment agency in Singapore to also have an ethical hiring model.
Hiring a helper in Singapore through a traditional employment agency can be time consuming as the pool of applicants is limited, interviews at the agency premises are short, and it can feel a little awkward interviewing in front of a third party. The process can also be costly, as agencies usually charge employers high service fees. Helpers must also pay the equivalent of four to six months salary (if still abroad) or one to two months salary (if already in Singapore). And because most helpers have no savings, employers often end up paying maid agency placement fees on their behalf, recovered later by not paying any salary for several months.
The result? Helpers are adjusting to new homes while also worrying about being unable to send money home to loved ones. It’s little wonder that they feel disincentivised to work.
After completing his Master of Business Administration (MBA) at NUS Business school, David (a French citizen) thought that charging helpers placement fees was not fair and that a better solution was possible. So he co-founded We Are Caring with Jinky Amador (a Filipino citizen) in 2016. The aim? To promote an ethical hiring model, eliminate placement fees and leverage new technologies to provide a better service for both employers and helpers.
The We Are Caring platform is based on the belief that, “migrant workers from all sectors shouldn’t be forced into debt to find a job,” says David. Everything is transparent, he adds. His team handles the hiring process without salary deduction or maid agency placement fees for the helper. “We’re the first ethical employment agency in Singapore. Our mission to make ethical hiring a norm all over the world,” says David. And he’s excited that it’s starting here in Southeast Asia.
The system works well. According to the Ministry of Manpower’s EA directory, 76% of helpers hired via We Are Caring keep working for the same employer after six months (versus 63% in average for the industry). These stats are encouraging. I know from personal experience it’s incredibly frustrating when a helper leaves after a few months. You’re then forced to start the hiring process again. It’s not just ethical; it’s smart business.
In addition to enabling employers to hire the right helper, We are Caring offers a range of related services.These include:
One thing’s for sure. David is a man who isn’t afraid to dream big and work tirelessly to realise his vision. As if creating the social enterprise wasn’t enough, it’s officially the first fully digital agency for helpers in Singapore. With the support of the DBS Foundation and a tech savvy team behind him, David developed and recently released the We Are Caring App, available to download on the App Store.
Plenty of time and investment has gone into developing the app. The result is intuitive, user-friendly and practical for helpers and employers alike.
Clearly We Are Caring is doing something right. It’s recognised and accredited by the Ministry of Manpower, the Embassy of the Philippines and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia. It’s also proud to be the 2021 DBS Foundation Social Enterprise Grant Awardee. These funds enabled We Are Caring to help thousands of helpers and employers in Singapore. (To date, over 4,000 helpers have been placed and over S$2 million in placement fees saved.) The agency will continue to enhance its recruitment model, while with the help of the DBS Foundation a subsidiary will open in Hong Kong early 2023.
In November 2022, after two years of assessments, We Are Caring became the first company worldwide handling the recruitment of migrant workers to receive the label of ‘ethical recruiter’ from the International Organization for Migration (IOM, United Nations). With this recognition, David hopes they’ll contribute to bring ethical hiring to other categories of migrant workers (caregivers, hospitality, construction) in Southeast Asia and beyond.
#02-06 Lucky Plaza, 304 Orchard Road
3163 4636 | wearecaring.com
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When Australian ex-lawyer and serial expat Georgina isn’t writing about life in Singapore, she has a side-hustle of ferrying about four active children. By and large, she’s successful at keeping them and her husband, two turtles and hamster Vanilla fed, watered and having fun!
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