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Helping Your Helper Stay Connected: A Guide to Prepaid SIM Activation

Getting a prepaid SIM card for your foreign domestic helper is important. A SIM card will allow them to stay in touch with their loved ones and help alleviate the emotional strain of being in a foreign country. Managing their feelings of homesickness will allow them to focus more on their day-to-day activities, allowing them to work more efficiently and effectively.

– Initial Prepaid SIM Card Issuance during Settling-In Program (SIP)

Many employers mistakenly believe that the first prepaid SIM card given to foreign domestic helpers is provided by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). This is not true. The first prepaid SIM card is actually issued during the helper’s Settling-In Program (SIP) and is sponsored by Singtel.

This prepaid SIM card is neither registered with MOM nor initially registered with the bank.

Upon their arrival in Singapore, all first-time helpers receive a $2 Singtel Prepaid SIM card with 2GB free data as part of the SIP. If the helper wishes to have more data, they are free to top up this SIM card as they desire.

– First Prepaid SIM Card Registration (Passport)

All foreign domestic helpers must register for a work permit card at the MOM. Helpers will receive their work permits 1 week after completing their registration. The helpers would not have obtained their work permits when they first receive the Prepaid Sim card. Thus, this SIM card would be registered to their passports. 

This is a big problem because…

– Important Updated Regulations

Starting July 15, 2024, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) declared that SIM card registered using passports are only valid for 30 days. The helper will have to register the SIM card to a work permit. If the registration is not completed within this timeframe, the SIM card will be suspended without prior notice.

– Your Responsibility — Re-registration of Prepaid SIM Card

The SIM card needs to be re-registered to your helper’s work permit. To do so, please visit a Singtel Shop or Singtel Exclusive Retailer.

Please be reminded to:

  1. Bring along the helper’s work permit
  2. Complete this registration within 30 days of the first registration of the prepaid SIM card

Your timely action will prevent any disruptions that could affect your foreign domestic helper’s ability to reach out to their family and inspire them to serve you better.

– Alternative Solutions — New Prepaid SIM card

If you are unable to bring your helper to visit a Singtel Shop or Singtel Exclusive Retailer within 30 days, you can also choose to buy a new prepaid SIM card at any local phone store.

Important note: You will need the foreign domestic helper’s work permit or SingPass to buy a new prepaid SIM card.

– Where to buy Prepaid SIM Card?

You can buy the new prepaid SIM card at any neighbourhood phone store, Singtel store, Starhub store, M1 store, or any telephone service provider outlet that is convenient for you.

A new prepaid SIM card purchased using a work permit does not require re-registration. Please be reminded to teach your helper how to top up their prepaid SIM cards. Prepaid SIM cards become inactive after 30 days without a top up. Having a working SIM card is vital to ensure that your helper is connected to their family.

Too Long Didn’t Read — A Summary Thus Far
  1. Your helper’s SIM card needs to be registered to their work permit
  2. Once your helper has received their work permit, please bring them to a Singtel Shop or Singtel Exclusive Retailer (Bring work permit)
  3. If you are unable to bring them to a Singtel Shop, you can buy a new prepaid SIM card for them using their work permit at any neighbourhood phone store
  4. Teach your helper how to top up their SIM card

Managing Your Helper’s Phone Usage

It is important to encourage your foreign domestic helper to balance both their work duties and their personal communications by only connecting with their family after work hours. This serves to maintain a healthy level of productivity and focus.

However, it is also important to support their ability to stay in touch with their loved ones. Responsible management of your helper’s phone use will protect both their well-being and ensure peak job performance.

It goes without saying that you should remind your foreign domestic helper NOT to post any videos or photos of your family to Facebook, TikTok, Instagram or any other social media platform. This is vital to the protection of your family’s privacy and prevent scams.

 

For further insight into the importance of managing their mobile usage, please check out this video.

• Talking Point | What Are Domestic Helpers Really Doing On Their Phones?  About the show: Talking Point investigates the relationship between a helper and their phones, offering different perspectives and revealing how this all affects you.

Activating and managing your foreign domestic helper’s prepaid SIM card in Singapore does not have to be complicated. Through understanding the processes and clearing up common misconceptions, you can help your helper stay connected with their family back home and avoid unnecessary stress.

Encourage them to use their phones responsibly, balancing communication with their loved ones and their duties at work.

A little guidance goes a long way in creating a trusting and harmonious environment for both you and your helper. Together, you can ensure a positive and productive experience for all parties.