MOM Will Prosecute Errant Maid Employers

Ministry of Manpower (31 March 2007): MOM Will Prosecute Errant Maid Employers

The Straits Times (30 March 2007): Why Maids Had to Beg For Food

MOM Will Prosecute Errant Maid Employers
- The Straits Times, 31 March 2007

Please refer to the letter, “Why maids had to beg for food” (Straits Times, 30 March 2007) by Ms Laura Thornton-Olivry.

2. Under the Employment of Foreign Workers Act, all employers must provide their foreign domestic workers (FDWs) adequate rest and meals. The penalty for employers who breach such work permit conditions is a fine of up to $5,000 and jail for up to 6 months. In 2006, 42 FDW employers were prosecuted by MOM for abusing their FDWs.

3. Ms Laura suggested MOM set up a department to protect FDWs. We have already done so. The Foreign Manpower Management Division was set up to ensure that foreign workers are treated well. It operates a dedicated toll-free hotline for foreign workers (Tel: 1800-6339-5505). This number is made known to FDWs through the employment booklet when they first arrive in Singapore and when they attend the mandatory safety orientation course. FDWs in need of help or concerned members of public who know of FDW mistreatment, such as lack of food, sleep or rest, can contact us. We would like to assure Ms Laura that if an FDW complains of ill-treatment, such as being overworked or not being given sufficient food, the Ministry will investigate the complaint and assist the FDW. Errant employers will be prosecuted and FDWs need not fear reprisals.

4. We invite Ms Laura to contact our officer at (65) 6419 2679 to provide us with details of her allegations for investigation.

Why Maids Had to Beg For Food?
- The Straits Times, 30 March 2007

The other day over lunch, my friend described how her Singaporean neighbours were not feeding their maid. The maid was literally begging for food, so my friend began feeding her through the back gate. Unfortunately, the neighbour found out and has forbidden the maid to go anywhere outside or talk to anyone. We discussed what we could do to help the poor woman but found that our choices were limited if we did not want to risk getting her deported.

Two days later, I discovered that the same thing was happening in the apartment next to mine. The Singaporean neighbours had gone through three maids in six months, all of whom were denied food, not allowed a single day off, and had their passports kept from them.When the maids finally quit, the employers refused to 'release' them for employment elsewhere, so they were forced to return home.

The current maid is also begging for food through the back window. She has lost weight and looks pale. She does not have a single day off and is forced to work from 5am until after midnight. She lives in fear that her employer will find out that we are giving her food, as the employer had threatened to beat her if she communicates with anyone.

I called the Ministry of Manpower, which offered me no solution that would protect her from deportation. It is astonishing that this could occur in such a wealthy and educated country. Singaporeans should be outraged at this behaviour and also concerned about the stereotypes that have emerged. In my heart I know that Singaporeans do not all behave like this. But why are they not standing up against this immoral treatment and demanding that their Government take action - such as setting up a special division to deal with these complaints and protect the maids involved? Clearly not enough is being done.