Mental abuse is also a type of mistreatment under the violations conducted in the employment of a foreign domestic worker in Singapore. We have also noted the importance of ensuring greater freedoms and the protection of privacy for MDWs. [Our concern is] if we have legislation and are unable to enforce it.. Meeting her in the hospital and working backward from there to discover how and why she had got to that point was like unraveling a tangled ball of knots. A bed-making class at PT. As an employer, you are responsible for the health and well-being of your migrant domestic worker ( MDW ). 23 For a thumb-nail sketch of the history of domestic help in Singapore and its persistence in the global capitalist economy, see Wong, Diana, Foreign Domestic Workers in Singapore, 5 Asia and Pac. It did not seem reflective of the chaos of a busy home with kids and working adults which is likely to become these womens workplace. MDWs entitlements under EFMA are vague - acceptable accommodation, and adequate food and rest, with no further elaboration - allowing for a varied interpretation of the standards and ultimately meaning that the standards of welfare vary from employer to employer. Mujahidah Learning Centre, 590 Stirling Road, Singapore 148952, +65 6473 7400, info@mujahidin.mosque.org.sg, www.mujahidinmosque.sg/mujahidah Show on the map Dharma Kerta Raharja, a training center in Malang, located in East Java, Indonesia, for women seeking work as foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore. Should you spot Women practicing a dance routine as part of their daily exercise regimen at PT. To continue to transact with MOM securely, please follow, Work permit transactions for domestic helpers and confinement nannies, Work Permit Online (WPOL) for employers of MDWs. For example, the governments of Indonesia and the Philippines require domestic workers in their countries to receive a minimum wage of S$550. The authorities have found the employer guilty of assault and abuse, and have sentenced her to 20 months of jail. 1999. Her mother had been trafficked to Singapore as a domestic worker in 1996 and has worked for a wealthy woman in Hong Kong for the last 19 years. Singapore's reliance on domestic workers is undeniable. Employer offenses under the penal code, such as wrongful confinement or sexual assault, receive stricter penalties. We have voices it's just that no one is listening." Includes levy rate, paying the monthly levy, applying for levy concession and waiver. 2021 KONTINENTALIST. The Indonesian government has, for this reason, promoted female labour migration since the early 1980s as part of its development plans. However, their living and working conditions are complicated. I got the sense that on the whole these women perceived the future as bright. Domestic workers arrive in Singapore on the most restrictive visa known as the "work permit," which offers a temporary but renewable 2-year contract. A stairwell at the HOME shelter, where migrant domestic workers often seek protection from abusive working conditions. There are calls to alter some of the legislation for domestic workers. "Singapore is really beautiful physically and economically successful, but underneath that are these migrant workers," she said. The biggest one, Kanwar says, is the requirement that all foreign domestic workers - of which there are about 237,000 in Singapore - live with their employers. Liani is a freelance writer/scriptwriter whose works span areas of culture, history and language. A Complete Guide to hiring domestic workers in Singapore. My editorial work has been published in among others - The New York Times, The L.A. Times, The Wall Street Journal, TIME magazine, The Guardian and The Independent U.K. and I have been commissioned by brands such as Audemars Piguet, Bvlgari & Calvin Klein. Moreover, their exclusion from the EA only strengthens the notion that domestic work is not deserving of the rights and protections offered to all other workers. However, many forms of abuse continue to go unreported, especially for survivors of emotional and psychological harm. Not all of them do. While we understand that hiring a domestic worker in Singapore is expensive, remember to treat her with respect and love. However, there is a lack of empirical research with this population. The Indonesian government is also rolling out a new policy to bring down the feespaid to maid agenciesby the domestic workers when they get jobs from their recruiting agents. A kitchen prepped for cooking classes at PT. The salary of a Singaporean domestic worker depends on the country of origin of the employee. Your domestic helper is no different. As of January 1, 2021, employers will also need to purchase additional health insurance for the helper before her arrival. With new domestic helpers, there can be a need to provide training and guidance for an initial period of time to ensure that she knows how to perform her duties effectively and safely. What more can be done? One thing I think will be an issue is care for the elderly. The perception of FDWs in the eyes of the law is further complicated by the publics and MOMs view of paid domestic work as familial and unique, unlike other employment-based forms of work. Migration J. A domestic worker salary depends on nationality and years of experience. By the time these young girls realise what they are in for, it will be too late to turn back as they have already arrived in a foreign country with a service bond that they have to work to pay off. The person needing care is no longer with you. The current fee a Singaporeemployer pays the agency to hire a domestic worker can be as high as S$2,000. What motivates you to continue? This often occurs without oversight. You name it, its there. Access to fairer, safer employment can be a matter of life and death. As at June 2021, there were 245,600 women working as MDWs in Singapore. Nina provides breakfast to her son Safa Mustajab, 4. Everything. An FDW does not receive complete coverage under the Employment Act, which regulates maximum working hours, contract signing, and overtime pay. Economic pressures play a part, as well as entrenched social norms. It is recommended that you create the work schedule in consultation with your domestic helper so that she is agreeable to it as well. 2014. Although her injuries are horrific, how she came to be in this state is quite convoluted in many ways. You should also teach your helper essential communication skills as they may need to interact with your family members who may have their own communication quirks as well. June 24, 2022 Credit: Flickr/gunman47 Advertisement Migrant domestic workers in Singapore continue to face various kinds of emotional abuse, despite growing legal protections against more visible. Human Rights Watch, Maid to Order: Ending Human Rights Abuses against Migrant Domestic Workers in Singapore, December 2005, p 74. The government requires both first-time employers and FDWs to undergo orientations about their legal obligations, all paid for by employers. Indonesia can charge up to S$550. For example, as a result of rest days not being defined as 24 hours under EFMA, HOME has encountered many cases where MDWs are required to work on their rest days; some spending a total of five to six hours cooking, cleaning the house and tending to the employers young/elderly family members, before they leave their employers houses, or after they return, without any compensation. Some are still asked to work, preparing breakfast or doing chores in the evening such is a familys reliance on their presence. Because of the huge debts they had assumed to recruitment agencies or individual recruiters in their home countries or Singapore when they first arrived here, FDWs fear reporting their abuse lest they get repatriated. In contrast, countries like Myanmar and Malaysia allow lower rates for domestic workers in their countries. Singapore Domestic helper Salary - Here's What You Need To Know. Not to say this isnt important, and when it happens it should be highlighted and addressed, but it can be counterproductive to just pursue the sensational at the exclusion of all else. Hiring a domestic worker for the first time can be a daunting task for many first-time hirers, especially if you are unfamiliar with the process. Many migrant workers in Singapore are housed in crowded dormitories, with up to 20 people . Despite the Singapore governments recent changes that require one day a week off for all domestic workers, 41% of workers report having to work on Sunday, according to CNN. Singapores domestic workers returned to their home countries as soon as they could in order to be with their families, leaving numerous families without the house help they depended on. Singapores national labour law (the Employment Act), for one, makes a clear legal distinction between an employee and an FDW, who is classified as a house, stable or garden servant. The Singaporean and Indonesian governments have both made considerable efforts in recent years to prevent the abuse of domestic workers. Xyza turned out to be a talented street photographer, and her work caught the attention of fellow Filipino photographer Rick Rocamora, whose enthusiastic mentoring led her to be featured on Lensin 2014. Singapore maids agencies may face ban by the Indonesian government from hiring foreign domestic workers if their wages fall below S$500 monthly. In some cases, a domestic workers salary is withheld by her employer for about six monthseven though the MOM has not allowed employers to withhold their FDWs salary since 2019. Although MOM has issued a statement disapproving this survey for not considering factors related to the unique nature of domestic work, the survey nonetheless raises important points on the maltreatment and power dynamics FDWs face, as well as the potential for improving their working conditions. Government-certified employment agencies play a key role as migration brokers and deployers for FDWs. According to the Association of Employment Agencies, FDW salaries reference the minimum monthly rates stipulated by origin countries, which can differ by more than 25 percent. Clearing these debts takes an average of 28 months. As of June 2020, Singapore recorded a population of 252,600 domestic workers most of whom are Indonesian and women. While many employers respect and protect the rights of the FDWs they employ, such safety is by no means guaranteed. Accessed 21 February 2022. The materials herein are not intended to be nor do they constitute legal advice. Overview and key facts about the Work Permit, including who it is for, validity and pass map. What you need to know about your maid's home leave, Wash dishes and sanitize food preparation areas, Take out garbage and replace garbage bags, Children's room (dust, drapes, windows & dehumidifiers), Study room (dust, drapes, windows & dehumidifiers), Kitchen (dust, windows, garbage cans, fridge, wash cleaning clothes, recycling), Master bedroom (dust, drapes, windows & dehumidifiers), Air purifier (inside/outside body, air quality sensor, & vacuum filters), Dehumidifier (clean outside, filter & wash inside of water holder), Laundry: Sheets, pillowcases, comforter covers, Check house (lights, hangers, doorknobs, drains, batteries in toys, appliances, etc. The penalty then was a one-year jail term and $1,000 fine. While the live-out option is one that some see as beneficial to both parties, there is no big drive to move toward this arrangement, either from government or citizenry. And since 2012, there has been a steady increase in this workforce. This is to cover all medical costs related to Covid-19. Remember that a full-time domestic helper who stays with you is like having an extra adult member at home. The current maid levy charge in Singapore is S$300 per month. In 1999, there were over 100,000 MDWs in Singapore. From your experience in Singapore, what is the role of domestic workers, and do you see that changing? For example, any curtailment of mobile phone usage for MDWs should be made illegal. Hiring of Male Domestic Workers. Basic household duties and routines should be taught, such as cleaning, cooking, and laundry, especially if you have any personal peculiarities or quirks in your household routines. Nina Duwi Koriah, 29, comes from a family of rice farmers in East Java. There are risks in every job and while we take the necessary precautions to make sure we are well-protected, such as scrutinising the employment contract and checking out the work environment during the interview, the migrant workforce in particular such as foreign domestic workers (FDWs) do not have the same luxury. Uneven power and gender relations in the domestic sphere continue to expose workers to exploitation, unregulated working norms, and limited legal representation. If this option exceeds your budget, you can opt for transfer maids. An earlier version of a photo caption stated that she was injured while staying at her employer's home. A basic responsibility, especially for us, living in a first world country. That said, there was much laughter and excitement, and a degree of positive anticipation. The duration can vary depending on the employee's country of origin. Finally, a mandatory skills training program should be provided to MDWs who will be undertaking specialised forms of domestic work, such as eldercare or care for children with special needs. The reduced rate generally applies to families with the following family members: You are not entitled to the concessionary maid levy when. Another thing to consider when hiring a domestic worker in Singapore is maid levy charges. 117 (1996)CrossRef Google Scholar PubMed. Employers and FDWs must come to an agreement if rest days are not taken, and employers must compensate at least one days salary for each rest day not taken, on top of the monthly salary. Underaged girls have also been recruited by agencies who neglect verifying identification documents and rely solely on overseas agents. All these stories remain important to her, not just to tellthe world of the ordeals faced by the migrant workers, but to show that one-time migrants like her can go on to make a difference. She was held in a small room with 10 other Filipino women and not allowed to leave. SINGAPORE - Domestic worker Nalin (not her real name) does not get enough sleep every day. You are using a version of browser which will not be supported after 27 May 2018. Somewhere in between 23 and 50 years old at the time of registration. Instead, FDWs must negotiate their own conditions, such as working hours, with employers through a written contract. "Migrant workers are invisible people," Xyza said. All foreign domestic workers in Singapore live at the home of their employers, the DW reports. On the other hand, FDWs need written approval from their current employer to switch employers, which can make it very tough for an FDW to seek better working conditions elsewhere or even escape harm. First, they will assess your financial capacity to hire and whether you can continue to have an FDW (Foreign Domestic Worker). Domestic workers form a foundation of daily life in Singapore by performing routine tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and caring for children and elders. Many FDWs have been unaware ofor pressured intoagreeing with unfair clauses, such as accepting low salaries. Xyza was 19 when she decided to go to Singapore, too, so she could help her younger siblings get an education. The EFMA does not provide as robust and all-encompassing protections as the EA and the WICA do. You should establish rules and boundaries within the household, such as what areas your helper can and cannot enter, and what tasks she is responsible for. "It took us four years to mend the relationship and for me realize that she never did anything for herself because she was saving money to send to me and my siblings," Xyza said. Ten years after the start of the FMS, the number of MDWs in Singapore reached around 20,000. But their payment is not limited to the salary of a Singaporean domestic helper. She had been one of them. This scheme requires employers to pay for a domestic workers COVID-19 test and all other arrival charges in exchange for guaranteed arrival. Domestic workers make 17% of Singapores workforce. Singapore is a city of dreams and hopes and thus many people reach here in search of a respectable source of living. Tom White, a photographer based in Singapore, has been documenting the lives of domestic workers for the past six years. Employed at your address according to NRIC guidelines, Must be certified and have at least eight years of formal study, Certified with the settling-in programme if it is her first time looking for a job as a domestic worker in Singapore. Another employer felt that domestic workers caring for elderly family members did not require specific caregiving skills; rather, feminine traits such as patience and being gentle would suffice. Alarming abuses against domestic workers have emerged in emotional, physical, and sexual formsand it seems unlikely to decline. Nina hugs fellow shelter resident Fe, originally from the Philippines. The average monthly salary of a domestic worker is at least S$597. Xyza did not know her mother well and "always had the feeling she left me for money and good food and was having a good time," she said, while Xyza took care of her siblings. Most who sign up for domestic work do so for financial reasons, such as to support their families back home or send their children to school. Despite their important role, they are among the most exploited and abused workers in Singapore. But, depending on the origin country of your helper, the compensation may vary. When she is not wrestling with words, she enjoys wandering into nature, and the equally hypnotic worlds of art, film, gamelan and capoeira. In 2013, a Burmese domestic worker suffered multiple counts of rape when she was left alone at home with her employer. These male MDWs are mostly hired only to take care of the male elderly. contact@pulitzercenter.org, Stories by Campus Consortium Reporting Fellows, Deep Dives: Ocean and Fisheries Reporting, Underreported Stories in Sub-Saharan Africa, Science Misinformation: Journalism in the Age of Truth Decay, Bringing Stories Home: Local Reporting Grants, COVID-19, Vaccines, and Global Health Inequities, OPPORTUNITIES FOR CAMPUS CONSORTIUM MEMBERS, The Business of Exploiting Suffering Refugees, The Missing Migrants: Families Search for Answers, 'Invisible' Domestic Workers In Singapore. Available at: https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/parliament-questions-and-replies/2017/0911-written-answer-by-mr-lim-swee-say-minister-for-manpower-to-parliamentary-question-on-work-permit-criteria-for-male-foreign-domestic-helpers. Furthermore, the sociopolitical structures relating to the organizing of migrant domestic work create ripe opportunities for health deprivation by employers . Xyza zeroed in on Sohag Faslul Haque, a Bangladeshi man who was injured at work and was trying to navigate the government's complicated workers' compensation system. So before you decide to hire a domestic helper, let us walk you through the hiring and funding process so you can make an informed decision. KONTINENTALIST IS PART OF THE Available at: https://antheaindiraong.medium.com/hiring-of-male-domestic-workers-98ac20202627. In no way are our suggestions exhaustive. Image by Xyza Bacani. Foreign domestic workers housed at a shelter run by HOME, which provides direct assistance to migrants and victims of human trafficking and forced labor. Twenty-one years of age or older is required, not an undischarged bankrupt, and have the mental capacity to take responsibility for being an employer. The most extreme cases, instances of sexual abuse and physical violence, make for sensational headlines but are fortunately rare. Too often tales of abuse and neglect dominate. Singapore Foreign Domestic Workers Agency May Face Restrictions. (For new employees, the SIP happens upon arrival in Singapore). Abuse against FDWs in any form is also illegal in Singapore. In 2019, IT manager Tay Wee Kiat and his wife were charged with inflicting physical and emotional pain towards domestic workers Moe Moe Than and Fitriyah, such as forcing them to slap each other and bow before an altar of a different religion. When and how to renew a Work Permit before it expires. There can certainly be further improvements in offering protection to these foreign workers, and increasing the awareness among Singapore employers on the recruitment tactics by unscrupulous agents. Adjudications and legal proceedings can take a long time, and FDWs are banned from working for other householdsor earning any form of incomeuntil they conclude. From Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Macao, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Myanmar, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, South Korea, and Taiwan. Hiring an FDW through an agency or directly is your decision. How to submit an appeal if your MDW is not eligible for Work Permit renewal. Each year, scores of young women enroll to become foreign domestic workers (FDW) in Singapore. We invite you to engage with this topic further and to grapple with the points raised in our article. Domestic workers are also entitled to a weekly day off to ensure that they have time to rest physically and mentally and take vacations for themselves. Even though attitudes seem to be shifting, Singapore has recently seen several high-profile cases of domestic worker abuse. In the same survey, 65 percent of FDWs reported that they did not possess their employment contracts. Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4339&context=sol_research. Accessed 14 February 2022.Ong, A.I. Within Singapore, a joint 2020 study between HOME and AWARE found that some employers prefer to look for new, inexperienced workers, and prefer certain nationalities over others. You need to apply for a Work Permit if you are hiring a migrant domestic worker (MDW) in Singapore. My work has been published and exhibited internationally. Contact Kate Bubacz at kate.bubacz@buzzfeed.com. We used several search terms including 'domestic work', 'maid', 'domestic help', and 'foreign domestic worker' to identify the relevant articles. While Singapore has made efforts to regulate domestic work in the country, While Singapores government has made efforts to regulate domestic work in the country, they continue to be excluded from the Employment Act (EA) and other key forms of labour protections. According to a survey in 2015, only 32.6 percent of FDWs kept their passports and 66 percent kept their work permits. Category: Foreign Domestic Workers Singapore Over generations, waged work is no longer seen exclusively as mens work and as womens participation in the labour force increases, the idea that housework is womens work still sticks. How to transfer an MDW directly, including tasks for the new and current employers. In an interview with Human Rights Watch in 2005, one MOM official stated that Legislation is not the main route. After running many searches, combining lists of articles, and eliminating articles that were not relevant, we collected and examined 200 news articles published in The Straits Times . Such benefits are denied to those working as live-in domestic helpers, who are instead covered by the. FDWs dependence on their employers for food and shelter can also lead them to fear speaking up when their rights and preferences are threatened. In Singapore, there are about 256,300 migrant domestic workers (MDWs) being employed. FDWs contributed SGD$11.1 billion to Singapores economy in 2018, or 2.4 percent of its GDP. Thus you may find many migrant workers here working as domestic helpers, professional jobs here. CNN One woman had her pay docked for cutting tofu wrongly, while another said she was forced to sleep in front of her employer's toilet. Migrant domestic workers, locally known as maids, make up the second-largest group of foreign workers in Singapore. Story January 12, 2017 'Invisible' Domestic Workers In Singapore Country: Singapore Author: Grantee English READ MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT A church in Singapore where some migrant workers worship. In addition to the Philippines and Myanmar, Singaporeans can hire foreign domestic workers from Cambodia, Bangladesh, India, Hong Kong, Macao, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, and South Korea. As busy individuals, we understand that you may not have the time to go through the process of selecting a suitable domestic helper for your home. Meanwhile, a survey revealed that 60 percent Singaporeans preferred for domestic workers to receive less than S$600. Recently, Parti Liyanis acquittal from her former employers false accusations made national news and sparked conversationsas well as optimismabout whether the law penalises errant employers and how it can better protect domestic workers. Getting the word out there can make your job easier, and always verify their previous experience and the previous employer's assessment. You have to do this before the domestic helper comes to Singapore. For workers who work five days a week or less, MOM recommends up to 44 hours a week or 9 hours a day and up to 8 hours of work per day for those who work more than five days per week. Available at: https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/singapore1205wcover.pdf. Workers often send money to their families overseas. 114136.Ministry of Manpower. I have taught digital photography and photojournalism classes at Columbia Universitys School of Journalism and at the International Center of Photography in New York City. Hiring a domestic worker for the first . More recently, in late September 2020 a woman, Nuur Audadi Yusoff, admitted to repeatedly abusing domestic worker Sulis Setyowati, causing her to climb 15 floors down to escape. Working and living in an employers home also means that it is difficult to draw the line between private and shared spaces. I spent many nights photographing the underground music scene of the city and exploring the streets of South London. For almost one-third of Indonesians working abroad, Singapore falls on their top five destination countries for its perceived opportunities for high income. With families facing shortages of house help, leading them to value their work and the introduction of a new, government monitored program for Singapores domestic workers, the future looks far brighter. Without international cooperation and a change in legislation in both countries, such an arrangement would be unworkable. How To Hire A Domestic Worker In Singapore. The salaries (wages) of foreign domestic workers in Singapore from the Philippines and Indonesiawill soonbe reviewed in February 2015. At worst, this close contact can catalyse or aggravate domestic abuse, even hindering FDWs attempts to leave abusive situations. This is due to the likelihood ofa 20% lower quota imposed on the number ofmaids coming to Singapore by the Philippines government, as well as the Indonesia governments effort in raising the monthly salaries of Indonesian maids to be at least S$500 compared to S$450 a month previously. According to MOM rules, an FDW must be 23 to 50 years old at the time of application. These expenses, initially unpaid, help foreign domestic workers come to Singapore and are treated as a loan from employers, to be repaid in time. EAs can take over the responsibilities for your MDW while finding her a new employer. Domestic workers rights are addressed in the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act rather than in Singapores Employment Act. Your support ensures great journalism and education on underreported and systemic global issues, 2000 Pennsylvania Ave NW These conditions can greatly disadvantage FDWs, who may lack the ability, bargaining power or standing needed to negotiate for better terms. Remember that the second option might be much cheaper, but it is definitely more stressful, and here are two ways to do it. This article was first published in Homage. HelperFirst is a Canyudo project. Singapores public housing, where space is often at minimum, often causes domestic workers to live in close proximity to their employers at all times. For example, if the domestic helper is from the Philippines, you can expect to pay a minimum wage of S$570. After several years, Xyza started taking photos on her day off. In 2012, reports of such abuse caused the Indonesian government to insist on mandatory training for housekeepers and increased protection from foreign governments. In June 2021, . Dharma Kerta Raharja. This can be seen in a number of ways: for example, in 1978 the Singapore government implemented th Numerous other hidden transactions lurk within the recruitment process. The hired domestic worker must be over 21 years old. Often while we assume that we communicate perfectly based on how our daily interactions with loved ones or colleagues, we may actually still have communication flaws which are magnified when communicating with others foreign to our culture and country. While it is legally mandatory for FDWs to possess their own identification, work, and contractual documents, many workers have noted that their employers keep their passports and work permits for at least two years. For example, the governments of Indonesia and the Philippines require domestic workers in their countries to receive a minimum wage of S$550. Everything seemed so ordered and structured, and there was a great deal of solemnity and sincerity about the work they were practicing. Published with, Global Research and Consulting Group Insights, https://doi.org/10.1177/00027642211000394, Digitizing a New Donor Outreach System for a Canadian-Christian Charity, From Canada to Pakistan: Making an Impact From Across the Globe, Investing in Americas Economic Health Through Broadband Equity, Fintech and Social Impact: Financial Accessibility in the 21st Century, Healing Addiction in Universities: Drug Courts. Think about how you can improve your communication skills and always check in with your domestic helper if you have practised clear and effective communication with her. Protection from foreign governments she was injured while staying at her employer as well 300 per month related! Also means that it is recommended that you create the work Permit renewal the elderly Koriah, 29 comes. Past six years a survey in 2015, only 32.6 percent of kept... And Indonesian governments have both made considerable efforts in recent years to prevent the abuse of workers. 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