HOME Runs: Ginney’s Story — How HOME Provided Shelter and Assisted Ginney in Changing Employers

Ginney came to Singapore in October 2025 hoping to earn a living and support her family in Myanmar. Instead, she told HOME that she experienced verbal abuse, and was repeatedly told that she was not allowed to change employers.

By the time Ginney arrived at HOME’s shelter on 30 April 2026, she shared she had been illegally deployed. According to Ginney, she was required to clean at her employer’s daughter’s house three times a week.

Under MOM regulations, migrant domestic workers are only allowed to work at the residential address stated in their work permit. Employers cannot deploy them to work at another household. Employers who do so may face a financial penalty of up to $10,000 and may also be banned from employing migrant domestic workers.

Ginney told HOME that her employer had warned her not to tell anyone about the illegal deployment. However, during a routine interview for newly arrived domestic workers, Ginney shared her experience with the interviewer and her case was raised to the authorities. She believes her employer later received a letter regarding the illegal deployment and became angry.

According to Ginney, her employer then refused to allow her to transfer to a new employer. Instead, they told her that she could continue working for them to “pay off” the $10,000 fine, even though she understood that no such fine had been imposed. Otherwise, she said, they threatened to send her back to Myanmar.

For Ginney, being sent home was not a simple option. Her family in Myanmar had been badly affected by the war, and they were relying on her income. She wanted to stay in Singapore and continue working. But without her employer’s consent to transfer, she risked losing that chance.

After several attempts to plead with her employer were ignored, Ginney came to HOME’s shelter for help.

HOME referred Ginney’s case to MOM. Before her interview, HOME’s MDW Helpdesk caseworkers helped her prepare by going through the types of questions she might be asked and assisting her to recall the key details of her case, including the alleged illegal deployment and delayed salary payments. This preparation was important. For many workers, navigating a formal complaint process can be intimidating, especially when they are under pressure from their employer and worried about losing their job.

After the interview, MOM informed Ginney that appropriate enforcement action had been taken against the employer. HOME followed up further with MOM, and Ginney was eventually granted permission to change employers without needing her current employer’s consent. This was a crucial breakthrough. It meant that Ginney would not be forced to return home simply because her employer refused to release her.

HOME also worked closely with MOM and the employer to retrieve Ginney’s outstanding salary and belongings. During the collection, the employer deducted $50 from Ginney’s salary, accusing her of damaging a gas stove. HOME raised this immediately with MOM, as employers are not allowed to make salary deductions without proper basis. Ginney attended another interview with MOM on this issue and is currently awaiting the return of the $50.

With HOME’s support, Ginney also found a prospective new employer who wanted to apply for her work pass. When the new employer encountered difficulties during the application process, HOME liaised between him and MOM to help move the process along. HOME also urged for Ginney’s Change of Employer (COE) deadline to be extended because of the delays in approval.

Finally, Ginney’s new work pass was approved. In July 2026, more than two months after arriving at HOME’s shelter, she left to begin employment with her new employer.

Ginney’s case shows why timely casework support matters. Without intervention, she could have been sent home despite being the one who had reported possible breaches of her rights. Through shelter, casework support, advocacy with MOM, and assistance with her transfer process, HOME helped Ginney move on with confidence.

Each year, HOME assists more than 1,200 MDWs through our helpdesks and helplines. Workers come to us with issues such as excessive working hours, verbal abuse, illegal deployment, salary disputes, and other employment-related challenges. Through casework support and advocacy, HOME works to ensure that migrant domestic workers can access justice and are not left to navigate complex systems alone.

Published 8 July 2026