A Day to Especially Appreciate Moms Working as Maids in Singapore

At a Glance

Singapore has about 300,000 migrant domestic workers (MOM, Jan 2026)
Every helper gets 1 rest day a week by law
At least 1 rest day a month cannot be compensated away
MOM calls her phone her personal property and her link to family
Simple thanks: a card, a cake, a long video call, a real day off

Friends,

Mother's Day comes around and we all rush to book a restaurant for our own mums.

Meanwhile, many of the women cooking that morning's breakfast in our homes are mothers too... with kids thousands of kilometres away.

So this year, let's remember them as well.

How many domestic helpers work in Singapore?

~300,000

Helpers in Singapore

MOM's estimate in Parliament, January 2026

~3%

Yearly growth

Average from 2011 to 2025, driven by more elderly care needs and dual-income families

Source: MOM speech, 13 Jan 2026. MOM does not publish how many helpers are mothers, so we won't guess a number. Ask yours... you may be surprised how many kids' photos she has on her phone.

How can I appreciate my helper on Mother's Day?

Say thank you, out loud

Kind words cost nothing. Say them on the day, and keep saying them after.

A handwritten card

Get the kids to sign it too. Many helpers keep these for years.

A cake or her favourite food

Let her pick. Bonus points if nobody asks her to cut and serve it.

A small celebration

Bring her children in on a video call so they can celebrate together.

Should I let my helper video call her children?

Yes, please.

MOM's own guide says a helper's phone is her personal property and her source of connection to loved ones back home.

Agree simple rules together: no phone while cooking, bathing kids or giving medicine
On Mother's Day, give her a quiet hour for a long call home
Make sure the home Wi-Fi reaches her room

Source: MOM, Ask Jaya: phone access, checked Oct 2026.

Does my helper get a day off on Mother's Day?

Mother's Day falls on a Sunday, which is a common rest day... but it is her weekly rest day that counts, whatever day you have agreed.

Swipe left or right to see the full table on mobile.

Rule	What it means for you
Weekly rest day	1 rest day every week
Working on rest day	Only if she agrees, with at least 1 day's salary as compensation
Monthly rest day	At least 1 per month cannot be compensated away

Source: MOM, Rest days and well-being, checked Oct 2026.

Nice touch: if she usually works Sundays, give her Mother's Day off as a full rest day and let someone else do the dishes for once.

How do I show appreciation all year round?

Teach the kids to say please and thank you to her
Pay her salary on time, every month
Ask about her children by name
Protect her rest time like you protect your own

Looking for a helper who fits your family?

Browse Searchmaid

P.S. Buy the cake. If you bake it yourself, there is a real risk she ends up fixing the icing on her own Mother's Day.