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Employment agencies ought to be responsible when facilitating the transfer of migrant domestic workers to new employers

Foreign manpower Employment practices
  • Lianhe Zaobao (11 Aug 2021): "Immediately stop agencies from encouraging maid to change employers"

Employment agencies ought to be responsible when facilitating the transfer of migrant domestic workers to new employers - Lianhe Zaobao, 17 Aug, 2021

We thank Mr Long Zi’an for this letter (Immediately stop agencies from encouraging maid to change employers, 11 Aug).
 
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has made clear to employment agencies (EAs) that they should only offer matching services and cannot provide false or excessive assurances, such as the promise of higher pay or lighter workload, to entice MDWs to change employers. EAs have been told the types of advertisements and practices that are allowed.
 
MOM takes a serious view of EAs that do not act responsibly when facilitating the transfers of MDWs. EAs with unacceptable advertising messages have been instructed to remove them immediately. Errant EAs will be fined up to $5,000, imprisoned for up to six months, or both. Their EA license may also be revoked.
 
We request Mr Long to provide information to MOM of EAs who have acted irresponsibly. Members of the public who come across such practices can provide feedback to MOM via our hotline at 6438 5122 or email mom_fmmd@mom.gov.sg.
 
Shireen Banu
Director, Inspection
Ministry of Manpower

Immediately stop agencies from encouraging maid to change employers - Lianhe Zaobao, 11 Aug, 2021

In recent days, there were many videos circulating online enticing maids to change employers by offering zero agency fees, free mobile phones, guaranteed holidays, year-end bonuses, home leave and other preferential conditions, as well as a list of wages provided by Chinese, Indian and foreign employers. 

This will disrupt the employer's family's daily activities such as work, school and medical treatment, and even lead to ethnic conflicts and social unrest. 

The government should stop this immediately, let maids who change employers know the consequences, punish these agencies, and strictly investigate whether they have a business license or are evading taxes. 

Long Zi’an