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Oral Answer by Mr Hawazi Daipi, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower and Education, to Parliamentary Question on Psychological Tests for Foreign Domestic Workers

Notice Paper No. 20 of 2013 for the sitting after 21 Jan 2013 Question No. 982 For Oral Answer.

MP: Mrs Lina Chiam

To ask the Acting Minister for Manpower if the Ministry will consider instituting a mandatory psychological test for domestic workers, or other such tests to ensure their suitability for work, for their own well-being and their employers. 

Answer 

  1. A medical examination framework for Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) is in place to safeguard public health interests and the health of the FDWs themselves. FDWs first have to undergo and pass a mandatory medical examination within fourteen days after arriving in Singapore, before they are issued with their work permits.  
  2. The main purpose of the medical examination is to screen for four types of infectious diseases1 that are of public health concern. In addition, the examination helps to give a broad indication of the FDW’s general fitness for work, including her mental state, at the point of examination. First time FDWs are also required to attend a Settling-In-Programme to orientate and help them adapt to working and living in Singapore. 
  3. Given the different reasons employers have for engaging an FDW, it is impractical to prescribe a comprehensive standard for medical fitness. We would encourage employers with specific concerns to obtain a copy of the completed medical report directly from the examining doctor. Employers are also free to send the FDW for any other suitable tests before commencing with the employment of the FDW.

1 These are Tuberculosis, HIV, Syphilis and Malaria.