What is the salary of a first-time FDW?

The salary of a first-time FDW, like that of her more experienced colleague, is determined by the market, to a certain extent. Two FDWs working under very similar conditions may not necessarily get the same pay. Until recently Filipino FDWs were paid about SID 100 more than Sri Lankans or Indonesians. Now the gap between the salary of a Filipino FDW and an Indonesian FDW, for example, has closed from $90.00 down to $40.00.

• The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, POEA, stipulated minimum salary of SID 350* with one day off each week is not too much different from the market rate. (More experienced FDWs naturally expect and receive a higher salary.)

  *Note: With effect from 1 March 2007, POEA the minimum salary required by POEA is USD400 (about SID 600). However, in Singapore people seem to be ignorant of this new requirement. Ignorance is bliss, some say.

• Sri Lankans generally expect between SID 200 and 250 depending on their experience and proficiency in English (or lack of it). However, the best among Sri Lankan women aspiring to work abroad much prefer to work in Jordan, Cyprus and other such places.
• Until recently, the minimum salary acceptable to an Indonesian FDW has been SID 240.^** Some agencies set the salary at SID 250 if the FDW includes pork in her diet. However, this will change. As demand for Indonesian domestic workers rises (in the Middle-east, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Malaysia), a shortage of Singapore-bound Indonesian FDWs is a likely consequence, unless employers are willing to pay more for their services. ^** Update
  As of now (10th June 2006) the minimum starting salary of a first-time Indonesian domestic worker is $280.00 with one day off each month unlike in the past when they had to work 365 days a year. The asking pay for domestic workers with overseas experience is $350.00.
• Myanmar and ethnic Nepalese domiciled in India generally ask for and receive the same salary as Filipinos.