If you found out your MDW is involved in loan sharks borrowings, DO NOT PANIC! You are not liable to pay for any loans taken by your MDW. Some MDWs are unaware of how loan sharks in Singapore operate hence they may borrow from multiple loan sharks.
Here are a few things you can do. Firstly, check with your MDW (i) How much loan did she take; (ii) How many loan sharks she borrowed from; (iii) What is the interest rate; (iv) How many instalments she paid and how many more to pay; (v) The reasons why she borrowed.
Next, find out who she borrowed from. Do not worry, you are not liable to pay back the loan! If you are being harassed at your doorstep or you are receiving threatening phone calls or text messages, (i) Notify the police via the police emergency hotline “999” or via i-Witness, or call the National Crime Prevention Council’s X-Ah Long hotline at 1800-924-5564; (ii) Report the number as “Spam” and block the number using readily available spam filter application
Once you have accessed the situation, you may choose to keep your MDW and go through this challenging situation with her or you may choose to terminate the work permit and send her home.
You can protect your MDW from falling prey by constantly communicating with them to make sure she knows the consequences of borrowing from Unlicensed Money Lenders (UML).
Stay away from loansharks and not work with or assist them in any way. For help:
- Credit Counselling Singapore: 6225-5227 (www.ccs.org.sg)
- National Council on Problem Gambling: 1800-6-668-668 (www.ncpg.org.sg)
- ComCare: 1800-222-0000 (www.msf.gov.sg/comcare)