Foreign Domestic Maids

Foreign domestic workers are entitled to their dignity as well as to fair treatment. The Singapore government takes a serious view of employers who ill-treat or abuse their maids. Their action is not only cruel and inhuman; they tarnish Singapore's image to the rest of the world as also undermine the nation's efforts to mould a gracious society.

The government has in place stiff measures against employers who abuse their maids. Known offenders are prosecuted in court and if convicted are jailed, fined and/or caned. In fact the Singapore government has amended the penal code to protect this vulnerable group of workers. Errant employers now face heavier penalties including being blacklisted permanently from employing maids.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is very active in trying to raise awareness among employers on the needs of the domestic workers. MOM has put together information, guidelines and suggestions for prospective employers in the hope that a positive working relationship can be established between the domestic maid and her employer. Found on its website it is packed with information, tips as before hiring a live-in maid. Other initiatives include, the "Day Off Campaign" which highlights the importance of adequate rest, the raising of the minimum age of new domestic workers to 23, the attending of a compulsory employers' orientation programme to educate employers on their obligations towards their FDW, the attending of a compulsory safety-awareness course for all FDW. The MOM has taken steps to ensure employers are responsible for their workers and do not violate their rights

The initiative currently in place, although essential, may not be enough. The Employment Act does not cover domestic workers. The MOM claims that due to the nature of domestic work it is ‘difficult to define and regulate' and thus 170,000 domestic maids currently employed in Singapore (ST 28/12/03) do not get coverage