What Ethical Hiring Means at We Are Caring
At We Are Caring, ethical hiring means a helper pays nothing to get a job: no placement fee, no loan and no salary deduction, in Singapore or in her home country. Families pay one published service fee. We agree expectations openly with both sides before placement, and we keep checking in with the helper after she starts.
Why it matters
Singapore allows agencies to collect up to two months of a helper's salary as placement fees (Ministry of Manpower (MOM)). In practice, families often advance these fees and recover them from her first months of salary.
A helper who starts in debt is under pressure from day one, since she still has a family to support. That leaves her more exposed to illegal moneylenders, and the working relationship is harder to settle. At We Are Caring, 73.29% of helpers stay with the same employer for at least six months, against an industry average of 62.81% (Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Employment Agencies Directory, 7 Oct 2025 – 7 Oct 2026).
What it means in practice
- Nothing charged to helpers, by us or by our partner agencies abroad. Partner agencies are paid by We Are Caring, and that cost appears openly on the costs page.
- Published prices for families: every fee is on the costs page.
- Expectations agreed openly: duties, rest days and religious practice are discussed at interview, and we help both sides agree before placement.
- We keep checking in with the helper after placement, not only with the family.
- Open salary data, so both sides can see what is fair: salary report.
- A way to raise concerns: a feedback form on our website, plus visits, calls, WhatsApp and email (see the FAQ).
Built on the IRIS Standard
Our code of conduct follows the IRIS Standard, the ethical recruitment standard of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Each of its seven principles, and what it means at We Are Caring:
| IRIS principle | What we do |
|---|---|
| A. Respect for laws, and fundamental principles and rights at work | We are licensed by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and follow its licence conditions, and we report breaches of working conditions to the authorities. |
| B. Respect for ethical and professional conduct | Our code of conduct binds our staff and partners. Any side agreement between a staff member and an employer, made without the helper, leads to corrective action. |
| 1. Prohibition of recruitment fees and related costs to migrant workers | Helpers pay nothing, directly or indirectly. Our partner agencies are contractually bound to the same rule, with penalties if they break it, and a helper who was charged is reimbursed. |
| 2. Respect for freedom of movement | We never keep a helper's passport, identity documents, work permit or bank cards. We encourage employers to let her keep her phone and her free time. |
| 3. Respect for transparency of terms and conditions of employment | She receives a written contract, in her own language, before deployment. It states her weekly rest day and at least 8 hours of continuous rest each day, and it is never swapped for a worse one on arrival. |
| 4. Respect for confidentiality and data protection | Personal data is collected and used only with consent, under Singapore's Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), and kept only as long as needed. |
| 5. Respect for access to remedy | Helpers can raise a concern at any time, confidentially or anonymously, without fear of reprisal. Serious cases are reported to the authorities. |
Read the IRIS Standard (IOM) · Read our code of conduct (PDF)
What helpers say
"I truly appreciate the professionalism and support of We Are Caring agency… I felt respected and well‑supported, and I would gladly recommend their services to others." (Dylyn A., helper)
"Ngarahin banget, jelas, sabar, dan gak ada potongan sama sekali" (Layla, helper). Translation: Very guiding, clear, patient, and no deductions at all.
What families say
"It's also worth noting that they truly do care about the MDW's welfare equally, and have also provided excellent after-care service." (Lionel Kho)
"Every fee is transparent, so no one is getting ripped off and most importantly, the women that they represent are not beholden to them financially." (Kate Marsden)
Recognised for it
- Certified B Corporation since January 2023, with a B Impact score of 129.6.
- raiSE Leading Social Enterprise, member since 2019.
- On 27 December 2021, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) introduced David Bensadon, Founder and Managing Director (EA personnel reg. no. R1552212), and We Are Caring on its Facebook page, highlighting the "no salary deduction, no placement fee" policy.
FAQ
Do helpers really pay nothing to We Are Caring?
Yes. We Are Caring charges helpers no placement fee, offers no loans and makes no salary deductions, in Singapore or in their home country.
How does We Are Caring earn money, then?
From the service fee paid by the family that hires the helper, and from the optional passes in the Hire Helper app. Every price is on the costs page.
What can a helper do if she has a concern?
She can use the feedback form on our website: she chooses whether she is a helper, an employer or someone else, and a category, including "I need help" and "Feedback on We Are Caring". She can also visit us at 61 Killiney Road, Level 2, call our main line on +65 3163 4636, WhatsApp our helpers' line on +65 8073 8399, or email support@wearecaring.com.
Is ethical hiring more expensive for families?
Every fee we charge families is published on our costs page, so you can compare for yourself.