Another article on giving off day to maids..argh..
April 29, 2008
NGOs campaign for day off for foreign maids
The move is in line with MOM's policy on adequate rest for maids
By Keith Lin
Feedback from employers shows that some continue to worry about the potential negative consequences that come with giving maids time off. -- ST PHOTO: LIM WUI LIANG
THREE civil society groups have joined hands to campaign for foreign domestic workers here to be given a regular day off.
The National Committee for the United Nations Development Fund for Women (Unifem) Singapore, Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) and the Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (Home) on Tuesday launched a year-long publicity campaign, calling on employers to give their maids at least one day off a month.
Their efforts centre around a campaign website which, when launched on May Day, will give advice on how employers can give their maids time off and a list of social activities that such workers can take up on their rest day.
Other activities which will commence later this year include talks with students and community groups, research work, and media advertising.
Speaking at the launch of the Day Off campaign, President of Unifem Singapore Saleemah Ismail said: 'Foreign domestic workers are productive individuals who make an extremely valuable contibution to Singapore society, and like any other person, they deserve a day off.'
Feedback from employers shows that some continue to worry about the potential negative consequences that come with giving maids time off, she said.
Measures to ensure well being of foreign domestic workers in Singapore
The Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) adopts a multi-faceted approach in foreign manpower management and has put in place a set of legislative, administrative, and educational measures to protect the well-being of all foreign workers, including foreign domestic workers (FDWs).
The various measures and initiatives include:
... more
These include the possibility of such workers getting pregnant or them mixing with bad company.
'Through this campaign, we hope to allay these fears and burst the bubbles of myths...so that in time perhaps the campaign will encourage employers to give their domestic worker a day off a week,' Ms Saleemah said.
There are currently around 180,000 foreign domestic workers in Singapore. According to a poll conducted by The Straits Times in 2003, only around half receive a regular day off.
Commenting on the initiative, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said in a statement on Tuesday that it is committed to ensuring that the interests and welfare of all foreign workers, including foreign domestic workers (FDWs), are safeguarded while working in Singapore.
'In this regard, the 'Day Off Campaign' to raise awareness among employers on the importance of a rest day for their FDWs is in line with MOM's effort to ensure that FDWs are accorded adequate rest,' said MOM.
The ministry said a standard employment contract for FDWs was introduced in 2006 by accredited maid agencies in Singapore.
The contract provides for rest days for FDWs, but with an option for the FDW to choose compensation in lieu of taking the day off.
Such contracts provide more flexibility to meet the needs of both parties, said MOM, which has, on its part, encouraged employers to grant FDWs rest days in accordance with the contract.
It added that over the years, many steps have been taken to enhance the protection and support for FDWs.
'As a result of our collective education and enforcement efforts, overall 90 per cent of FDWs are happy working in Singapore, and one in three FDWs choose to extend their two-year contract and continue to work under the same employer,' said MOM.
'The number of reports of abuse has remained very small, at around 0.04 per cent of the total FDW population.'
Latest comments
This NGO is working from the wrong end.
You guys jiak ba jin eng, should help the agrieved employers that are held ransom by the foreign maid levy, threat of heavy fine if our dear sexy maid got pregnant or did the dissappearing act.
If the NGO can get all this penalties removed, we thank you very much and the maids can go F.... around and who cares.
Posted by: opahleo at Wed Apr 30 16:59:33 SGT 2008
I have now resorted to giving my maid bulk leave, ie, 2-3 weeks home leave every year, all expense paid. If she does not go, she gets to pocket the money. So really, what is the big fuss, like #23 has asked? I prefer that she goes home, spends time with her family than getting into trouble going out here.
Posted by: Misnomer at Wed Apr 30 14:05:50 SGT 2008
Maids are supposed to be grown-ups with an acceptable level of maturity by law. I always tactfully warn any newly engaged maids that I will not hesitate to send them home if they commit theft, got pregnant or carried out other illegal activities anywhere. Anyway life is a gamble, any new employees may look innocent at first, that is why we must be cunning enough to sense the bad sheep before the devil takes full shape.
Posted by: Kelly_Ong at Wed Apr 30 14:05:27 SGT 2008
If the maid chose to be paid the extra instead of taking the day off so what
is the BIG FUSS ?
I suggest the people from the 3 NGOs take a ride to Geylang on Sunday
and see for themselves. Many maids and many FTs can be seen booking into
the cheap hotels. What are they doing there ?
Or take the MRT on Sunday you can see for yourself the number of maids
going around with these FTs.
Are they suppose to do such things ?
We give a " FREE HAND " to people to run our country. What happened ?
They allowed a most wanted man to limp away.
Should we again allow a "FREE HAND" to our maid to do whatever they want ?
What would you , the people at the 3 NGOs do, if your maid is one those
standing at Geylang waiting for a room with her FT boyfriend ?
What would you do if one day you come home and find your maid
making love in your bedroom with her boyfriend ?
Posted by: Concernperson at Wed Apr 30 13:56:53 SGT 2008
I give my indonesian maid two choices. Either she can have a day off each week or extra pay-in-lieu for foregoing her off. She prefers to take the money. I believe all employers are matured adults and it is illegal to deny any anybody freedom to enjoy themselves like day-off, especially to our kind maids. If it is mutual agreement between two matured adults in black and white, double standards does not exist at all.
Posted by: Willing_Party at Wed Apr 30 13:44:19 SGT 2008
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