A mandatory programme equipping first-time employers with the knowledge, responsibilities, and skills to build a safe, respectful, and fair home working environment for their MDW.
What Is It?
The EOP course — officially the Employer Orientation Programme — is a mandatory course administered by Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM). It prepares first-time employers of Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs) to understand their legal obligations and best practices before or shortly after hiring their worker.
The EOP course covers essential topics including proper treatment, housing standards, salary payment, rest days, and the specific needs of MDWs adjusting to a new country and home. It sets a respectful tone from day one — protecting both the employer and the worker.
Explore the Modules →Eligibility
The EOP is compulsory for certain categories of employers. Understand if this applies to you.
All employers hiring an MDW for the first time in Singapore must complete the EOP before or within one month of the MDW's arrival.
Employers who had their MDW's Work Permit terminated within six months of commencement are required to attend before hiring again.
MOM may require employers with complaints or violations on record to re-attend the EOP as a condition of future MDW hiring.
Curriculum
Six core modules delivered over approximately four hours — online or in-person at an approved training centre.
Learn about the typical home countries of MDWs (Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar), cultural differences, language barriers, and what motivates workers to come to Singapore. Empathy is the foundation of a good working relationship.
MOM's requirements for salary payment, rest days (minimum one per week or compensation), medical coverage, and proper documentation. Covers the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act and key provisions of the Work Permit conditions.
Requirements for adequate accommodation — private sleeping space, meals, access to communication devices, and personal time. MDWs must be given reasonable privacy and a safe environment within the home.
Prevention of workplace accidents — particularly falls from heights when cleaning windows or high surfaces. Employers are legally responsible for their MDW's safety and must not assign unsafe tasks.
Practical guidance on onboarding your MDW into a new home — communicating expectations, establishing household routines, managing the adjustment period, and building a positive working relationship from the start.
What to do if issues arise — early termination procedures, dispute resolution, MOM helplines, and the resources available to both employers and MDWs. Covers responsible repatriation if employment ends.
Registration Process
The process is straightforward and can be done entirely online.
Submit your MDW's Work Permit application via MOM's Work Permit Online (WPOL) portal before or upon arrival.
Register directly at edcoretms.com — choose an online e-learning slot or a physical classroom session at an approved training centre.
Complete all six modules and pass a short assessment at the end. The online version includes a knowledge check with a minimum passing score.
A certificate of completion is issued. MOM will note the completion in the Work Permit record — you're now cleared to proceed with employment.
Employer Duties
"A good employer doesn't just follow the rules — they create a home where their MDW feels safe, valued, and respected."
Non-Compliance
Failure to complete the EOP carries serious implications for your ability to employ an MDW.
MOM may reject or suspend the Work Permit application for your MDW if the EOP is not completed within the required timeframe — typically within the first month of employment.
Employers who fail to comply may be debarred from hiring MDWs in the future. This can be a permanent or time-limited restriction depending on the nature of the violation.
Breaches of Work Permit conditions — including obligations covered in the EOP — can result in fines of up to $10,000 or imprisonment of up to 12 months under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act.
Employers with a track record of non-compliance may face increased security bond requirements, restricting their capacity to bring in workers and adding financial burden.
Common Questions
The EOP course (Employer Orientation Programme) is a mandatory training programme by Singapore's Ministry of Manpower for first-time employers of Migrant Domestic Workers. It takes around 4 hours, covers 6 modules, and can be completed online or in a classroom. Upon passing the assessment, employers receive a certificate of completion recorded in MOM's system.
Yes. MOM offers an e-learning version of the EOP course that can be completed at your own pace via the MOM e-services portal. A classroom option is also available at approved training centres island-wide for those who prefer in-person instruction.
You should ideally complete the EOP course before your MDW arrives in Singapore, or within one month of her commencement of employment. MOM monitors compliance and may follow up if it has not been completed within the stipulated period.
The EOP course fee is approximately SGD $60 for the online version, and may vary slightly for classroom sessions depending on the training provider. MOM may provide subsidies for certain categories of employers — check the MOM website for the latest fee schedule and funding eligibility.
No. They are two separate programmes. The Settling-In Programme (SIP) is mandatory for first-time MDWs and focuses on safety and living skills for the worker. The EOP course is for the employer. Both must be completed independently.
Generally, if you have previously completed the EOP course and have no adverse records, you do not need to repeat it. However, if your first MDW's Work Permit was terminated within six months, you will be required to retake the EOP course before hiring another MDW.