SINGAPORE: The maid levy for families with elderly folk will not be reduced or waived in the near future, said Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Hawazi Daipi on Tuesday.

About 38,000 families with elderly members aged 65 and above are now paying a concessionary foreign domestic worker levy of S$170. The regular levy is S$265.

Mr Hawazi said that MOM does not see the need to reduce the concessionary levy for now, since the foreign domestic worker levy is meant to manage the number and flow of domestic workers into Singapore.

"Already, we have more than 100,000 foreign domestic workers in Singapore and we will have to manage that number too."

Employing maids is not the only option available for families with elderly relatives at home, he said, pointing to the 22 daycare centres for the elderly.

Families with elderly members who prefer to stay at home can also choose to tap on home help services such as housekeeping, personal hygiene care and meal delivery, Mr Hawazi added.

— TODAY/sc