Written Answer by Minister for Manpower, Dr Tan See Leng, to PQ on false allegations made by MDWs citing abuse

NOTICE PAPER NO. 801 OF 2021 FOR THE SITTING ON OR AFTER 3 NOVEMBER 2021
QUESTION NO. 2091 FOR ORAL ANSWER NOT ANSWERED BY END OF QUESTION TIME

MP: Mr Yip Hon Weng

To ask the Minister for Manpower in the past two years, in cases where migrant domestic workers (MDWs) sought employment transfers citing abuse by their employers (a) how many of these allegations turned out to be unfounded; (b) how were the MDWs penalised for provision of false statements and fabrication of evidence; (c) what losses did the employers incur; and (d) whether the Ministry will consider reviewing the sentencing framework to make it more equitable for employers who have been genuinely wronged.

Answer

1 All reports of Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) abuse are referred to and investigated by the Police. From 2019 to 2020, an average of 300 reports of MDW abuse by employers or household members of the employers were made to the Police each year.

2 17 MDWs were found to have made false allegations against their employers and were issued warning by the Police. 13 of the MDWs were blacklisted and banned from working in Singapore. The remaining 4 cases are pending review of the case facts from Police’s investigation.

3 SPF and MOM take a serious view on abuse allegations made by MDWs. Therefore, all complaints and claims are investigated thoroughly and fairly to determine if the allegations are substantiated. MDWs who were found to have provided false information may be punished upon conviction to a fine, up to two years’ imprisonment, or both. Convicted MDWs will also be repatriated and banned from employment in Singapore.