Personal information needed to process work pass application
- The Straits Times (12 June 2020): "Surprised by maid agency’s access to personal data"
Employer's personal information needed to process work pass application - The Straits Times, 18 June 2020
- We refer to the letter by Ms Ong Soh Ching (Surprised by maid agency’s access to personal data, June 12).
- As part of the work permit application process for foreign domestic workers (FDWs), employers must provide personal information to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for the ministry to determine if the applicant meets the criteria. Potential employers can submit the information themselves or go through an employment agency (EA).
- Once a record of a potential FDW employer is created in MOM’s system, the information in the fields will be automatically filled in for the convenience of the employer to complete the application process. The form can be accessed by the potential employer or an EA who has been authorised by the employer to do so.
An EA must declare that he/she has obtained written consent from the employer before accessing the personal particulars of the employer.
Phua Boon Leng
Director, Customer System and Experience
Ministry of Manpower
Surprised by maid agency’s access to personal data - The Straits Times, 12 June 2020
- While trying to hire a new foreign domestic worker recently, I was shocked to discover the amount of personal data that employment agencies have access to.
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The employment agency I used asked for my identity card number in order to process the paperwork required to hire the candidate.
- Although apprehensive, I shared just my IC number with the agency.
- To my surprise, in less than 15 minutes, I was sent a screenshot of my personal details, which included home and e-mail addresses, as well as the birth certificate numbers and dates of birth of my children.
- I am not sure who the agency's source of information is. I also question the need to provide the agency with such detailed personal information.
Ong Soh Ching