Cases of Migrant Domestic Worker Security Bond Forfeitures since 2021, Abscondment Cases and Financial Support for Employers Facing Hardship

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Acting Minister for Manpower (a) how many Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs) security bond forfeiture cases are there annually since 2021; (b) what is the number of cases involving absconding MDWs and the proportion of employers who filed police reports and had their bond fully or partly forfeited despite reasonable efforts to track their MDW; and (c) whether financial support will be considered for employers facing hardship from the unilateral abscondment.

Ms Jasmin Lau: The security bond serves to ensure that employers remain responsible for the upkeep and repatriation of Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs).

From 2021 to 2025, there were a total of 45 cases of Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) security bond forfeiture, or nine cases per year on average. Of the 45 cases, 15 cases involved MDWs who went missing. For all 15 cases, employers had half of the $5,000 security bond forfeited ($2,500), in recognition that they had made reasonable efforts to locate their MDWs.

The Ministry of Manpower does not have plans to provide financial support employers in fulfilling their security bond liabilities.