Myanmar Maids in Singapore: What Families Should Know
Thinking of hiring a Myanmar maid for your home? This guide explains their typical strengths, language abilities, common job scopes and what to consider, so you can decide if a Myanmar FDW is suitable for your family.
At a glance
As with any nationality, every individual helper is different. The key is to look at the person’s attitude, experience and willingness to learn – not just where she comes from.
At Honest Recruiter, we focus on ethical recruitment and clear matching so both employer and helper start with realistic expectations.
Why some families choose Myanmar maids
Families in Singapore may consider Myanmar helpers for several reasons:
- Value for money: Salary expectations are often more competitive than some other nationalities.
- Willingness to learn: Many Myanmar helpers are open to guidance and step-by-step training.
- Calm and gentle nature: Employers often describe them as soft-spoken and polite.
- Suited for housekeeping & basic care: Particularly for families who can spend time training.
However, they may require more time at the beginning for language and communication, especially if English is still at a basic level.
Language & culture
Myanmar FDWs typically speak:
- Burmese as their main language.
- Basic to moderate English depending on education and previous work.
Some may also pick up a bit of Chinese or dialect after working in Singapore.
What this means for your family
- You may need to use simple English, short phrases and demonstrations initially.
- Visual instructions (photos, written routines) can help a lot.
- Over time, many improve their English quickly through daily use.
Typical experience & skills of Myanmar helpers
Myanmar FDWs can come with different backgrounds:
1. Fresh Myanmar maids
- No prior overseas employment experience.
- May have helped with chores or caring for siblings/relatives at home.
- Best suited for families who can invest more time in training and supervision at the start.
2. Experienced Myanmar maids
- Have worked in Singapore or other countries (e.g. Malaysia, Middle East).
- More familiar with household appliances and expectations.
- May have specific experience in childcare, elderly care or infant care.
Common job scopes
- General housekeeping – cleaning, laundry, ironing.
- Cooking (often simple dishes; can learn Chinese, Malay or Western recipes over time).
- Childcare – sending/fetching, playtime, basic routines.
- Basic elderly care – assisting with daily activities and companionship.
Cost & salary expectations
Salary for Myanmar FDWs depends on:
- Experience (fresh vs experienced in Singapore).
- Job scope (e.g. infant care, elderly care, general housework).
- Language ability and any specialised skills.
On top of salary, you should also budget for:
- MOM levy.
- Insurance and security bond.
- Food, accommodation and basic necessities.
Is a Myanmar maid suitable for your family?
A Myanmar helper may be suitable if:
- You are looking for a cost-effective option with potential to grow with your family.
- You can invest some time initially to train and guide her.
- You value a quiet, gentle presence at home.
You may want to reconsider or compare other options if:
- You require very strong English or Mandarin skills from Day 1.
- No one at home can provide training or supervision in the first few weeks.
- The job scope is extremely demanding from the outset (e.g. complex medical care plus multiple young children).
How Honest Recruiter screens & supports Myanmar helpers
To protect both families and helpers, we:
- Work with trusted partners in Myanmar who follow ethical recruitment practices.
- Review each candidate’s background, references where available, and motivation to work in Singapore.
- Assess basic communication and trainability during interviews.
- Explain Singapore’s expectations and basic house rules to helpers before deployment.
- Provide post-placement support if you face communication or expectation issues.
