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Better Support for Migrant Domestic Workers and their Employers through More Direct Engagements

Foreign manpower

As part of a series of enhancements to better support migrant domestic workers (MDWs) and their employers, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has introduced visits to households and increased in-person interviews to cover more migrant domestic workers.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITS TO HOUSEHOLDS

2 Since 5 April 2021, MOM-appointed officers have begun conducting visits to randomly selected homes, to check how well MDWs have adjusted to their working and living environments. MOM aims to visit 200 homes per month for a start.

3 During the visit, MOM-appointed officers will check on the MDWs’ working and living environments. They will also remind MDWs and their employers about safe working conditions, including the avenues to seek assistance from if required. 

EXPANSION OF INTERVIEWS WITH ALL FIRST-TIME MDWs

4 Since 2017, the Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE)  has been conducting in-person interviews with randomly selected first-time MDWs on behalf of MOM. These interviews are typically conducted three to six months after the MDWs have started work. Through the interviews, the Ministry was able to follow up on issues and concerns raised by the MDWs.  

5 As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, CDE has been conducting the interviews via video calls. CDE plans to resume in-person interviews at its office by May 2021. At the same time, MOM will work with CDE to expand these in-person interviews to cover all first-time MDWs by the end of the year. For a start, CDE aims to interview 2,000 MDWs per month.  

6 The expansion of direct engagements via house visits and in-person interviews serve as additional touchpoints with MDWs, and to remind employers of their duties and obligations. This strengthens the ecosystem of support for MDWs, which includes doctors, NGOs, and community partners. MOM will continue to review and strengthen existing measures, and introduce new ones where necessary, to promote better care of MDWs while they are in Singapore.