My experience with Swift @ Bedok, with the Agent was disappointing.


It was our first time hiring a maid, and we’ve decided to go with the interview Agent recommended this FDW, whom she pitched as someone who’s good in English and loves kids.
Before the interview, we asked the Agent why the FDW left the current employer. We were replied with "Employer had stopped working and decided not to hire a maid" we later learned that it wasn’t the case from the FDW herself. After the whole incident we felt this was inappropriate after recounting how the FDW told us herself that her last employer wanted to send her back initially.

The interview went alright, and after agreeing that we’ll hire the FDW, we received a couple of phone calls pushing for payment (4 times) and multiple text messages such as "Because I want her to be taken by my own customer as of now she is open and can be taken by my other colleagues".
This kinda irked us as we found her pushy, and we were pretty busy that day; the amount ($3500) was transferred that evening.

The FDW was with us for around 7 months, we found her performance acceptable the first 3 months but it all went downhill after (perhaps that’s why her previous employer did not want her).
After 7 months passed, we discussed with the FDW she decided to terminate her employment. We contacted the agent on the FDW’s decision and enquired about the necessary procedures for sending her back to the agency.
We gave the agent feedback regarding the FDW’s poor performance and we were replied with an "ok".
She guided us through the forms, and we were asked to make a payment of $420 for the FDW’s 21 days worth of accommodation and food. We transferred the FDW to the agency along with the forms, and payment was made on that day.
Additionally, we asked her to send us bio data of replacement maids.

On the 21th day after sending the FDW back to the agency, we texted the agent on the update for the FDW’s re-employment. We were told that she hadn’t found an employer yet. We then told her that we will be canceling her permit and received a reply, "But she still wants to work".
We were pretty annoyed by that reply since the agent hasn’t texted us nor called us at any point within these 21 days regarding our new replacement request or the ex-FDW’s transfer. FYI, it was radio silence for 21 days. We then told her that we were firm on canceling the work permit and asked her to arrange for a driver to send the FDW to the airport.
A total amount of $340 was paid to the agency for transport/PCR test/lodging. We specifically requested the agent to provide an update of a photo of the FDW once she reach the airport on that day.
It was hours past that flight departure, and we did not receive any update. We had to call and text the agent before she sent us the confirmation that the FDW has departed.

I’m okay to be charged fees or even a premium for a fair exchange of service. However, I definitely feel like this was a session of value extraction from the agent, the prompt response we receive were only for payment requests.
That’s why we decided to forfeit our agent fees and look for a better service.