Over 370 migrant domestic workers in Singapore have completed specialized caregiving training over the past year through pilot programs initiated by the Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE). These programs, which cover dementia, eldercare, infant care, and emergency response, were developed by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) initiative to address specific challenges faced by domestic workers while caring for aging employers.
How the caregiving programs function
The pilot programs were launched following feedback gathered during mandatory interviews conducted by the CDE on behalf of the Ministry of Manpower. According to Michael Lim, director of the NTUC’s Migrant Workers Segment, the curriculum is designed to be bite-sized and utilizes native language speakers to ensure the material is accessible to participants. Domestic workers pay a $10 registration fee to enroll in the courses.
Did You Know? The CDE’s pilot programs include four distinct tracks: dementia care, elderly care, infant and child care, and a course focused on first aid and emergency response skills.
Impact on domestic workers and their employers
For many workers, the training has provided practical tools to manage the emotional and physical demands of their roles. Priyanti, a 38-year-old worker from Indonesia, enrolled in the dementia care course after noticing her 84-year-old employer’s declining memory and mobility. She stated that the training helped her learn how to better communicate with her employer and maintain composure, ultimately strengthening their bond.
Pacardo Lolie Ann Latap, a 44-year-old worker from the Philippines, also completed the dementia care training in November 2025. She reported that the course taught her the importance of self-regulation when managing the frustrations of her 77-year-old employer. Both women were recognized at the CDE’s 10th anniversary celebrations held at Resorts World Sentosa on June 21, an event attended by over 600 workers, employers, and industry partners.
Expert Insight: The success of these pilot programs highlights a shift in the domestic work sector toward professionalized caregiving. By equipping workers with specific medical and psychological communication strategies, the CDE is effectively reducing the stress associated with long-term care, which may lead to longer, more stable employment tenures for workers and better health outcomes for the elderly.
What could happen next
The future of these initiatives rests on the potential for wider implementation. Michael Lim has expressed a long-term goal of scaling these programs to ensure that all migrant domestic workers have access to training relevant to their specific caregiving responsibilities. If successful, this expansion could lead to a standardized set of caregiving competencies across the migrant domestic workforce in Singapore, potentially easing the burden on families managing the care of aging relatives at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to take these caregiving courses?
The courses are part of pilot programs run by the CDE, an initiative of the NTUC, and are available to migrant domestic workers who wish to improve their caregiving skills.
What topics are covered in the training?
The four pilot programs cover dementia care, general elderly care, infant and child care, and first aid and emergency response.
How are the courses delivered?
The training features bite-sized content and utilizes native language speakers to help participants understand the material, according to Michael Lim of the NTUC.
How might specialized training for domestic workers change the way families plan for long-term eldercare at home?
