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Source:
www.mom.gov.sg |
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MOM STATEMENT ON HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
REPORT |
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Please refer to the Human Rights Watch (HRW)
report published on 6 Dec 05, titled ¡°Maid to Order: Ending Abuses
against Migrant Domestic Workers in Singapore¡±. |
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The report grossly exaggerates the abuse and
lack of rights of foreign domestic workers (FDWs) in Singapore. |
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Foreign domestic workers receive full
protection under Singapore¡¯s laws, including the Employment of Foreign
Workers Act. All employers must provide adequate rest and meals and
ensure work safety, proper housing and prompt salary payment. |
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Individual FDWs enter into contracts with
their employers which specify the terms of employment. They have the
same rights as all employees to accept or reject work conditions
imposed, including the number of rest days. |
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On their own accord, FDWs choose to work in
Singapore because of better conditions here compared to their home and
other countries. |
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We do not tolerate any abuse or exploitation
of FDWs. Employers who breach these work permit conditions can be
punished with a fine of up to $5,000 and a jail term of up to 6 months. |
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In the first 3 quarters of 2005, 4 FDW
employers were prosecuted by MOM for failing to pay their salaries on
time, of which 3 were jailed in default of the fine. |
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In 1988, Singapore enhanced its Penal Code
to increase by one-and-a-half times the penalties for acts of abuse
against FDW by their employers or household members. This markedly
decreased abuses against FDWs which has fallen from 157 in 1997 to 59
cases last year. |
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Over the last 4 years, 26 employers were
also jailed for abusing their FDWs. All convicted employers and their
spouses are permanently barred from employing FDWs. |
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The Ministry of Manpower has stepped up its
efforts to educate FDWs of their rights and protection under our laws
through mandatory safety and well-being orientation courses. |
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They are also given a list of telephone
numbers to contact in case of emergency or when their well being is
threatened. These are published in the native languages of the foreign
worker. |
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In addition, all first-time employers of
FDWs, as well as those who change FDWs frequently, are required to
attend a compulsory orientation programme. The programme emphasizes the
obligations and responsibilities of the employers towards their FDWs. |
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More recently, the minimum age of new FDWs
was increased in Jan 05 from 18 to 23 years. FDWs must also have
completed at least 8 years of formal education. These measures are aimed
at ensuring that the FDWs in Singapore have sufficient level of maturity
to understand their rights and protection provided under Singapore law. |
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The Ministry also regulates employment
agencies (EAs) closely to ensure that they do not exploit FDWs. EAs that
flout the EA Act can be punished with a fine of up to $5,000 and/or 2
years¡¯ jail if convicted and/or have their licenses revoked. |
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The HRW report has also suggested that MOM
abolish the $5,000 security bond required of all FDW employers. This is
unwise. The security bond serves to ensure that employers do not abandon
their FDWs instead of arranging for orderly repatriation. This measure
has proven its usefulness over the years as the vast majority of FDWs
were properly repatriated at the end of their service contracts with
very few being left to fend for themselves. |
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Contrary to HRW¡¯s report, the majority of
FDWs enjoy meaningful and safe employment in Singapore. An independent
poll by SIngapore Press Holdings in Dec 2003, revealed that over 80% of
FDWs were happy to work in Singapore. |
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The 2005 Trafficking in Persons Report
released by the US Department of State in Jun 05 also lauded Singapore¡¯s
recent efforts to curb FDW abuses, and has featured them under the
¡°International Best Practices¡± section of the report. |
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Source:
www.mom.gov.sg Media Release 6 Dec
2005 |
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Important
Notice |
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FrontPage Edition: Tue 6 Dec 2005
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