Maid policies should be changed

last SG · 2007-03-08T06:57:03+00:00

Given his track record in this forum, it is doubtful OM actually feels any real compassion for the plight of local Domestic Workers, just that it happened to...

aHGer^83 SG

well, pay part. mainly if u look carefully, most fillipinas r educated. as in really highly educated. whereas indon maids, either lowly educat or non at all.

it goes the same in SG. higher educated gets higher pay n low educated get lower pay no matter which line u r in.

the off part, it depends on the maid herself. if she duwan the offday even she's entitled, employers can choose to give or not to give extra money to her. but most employers prefer they're maids to go ahead with the off day so dey no need to give monetary replacement.

well, sometimes u gotta accept dat maids will always be maids. employees will forever be employees. in office, u dun even dare or "entitled" to argue for more right, not to say maids. ur hse is their office. Wink

aHGer^83 SG

same here. so long the maid dun give us additional probs, we r ok with anything as long as she do what's she's suppose to do n NOT take things for granted.

aHGer^83 SG

anyway, heard dat this yr, all maids’ pay will be increased to another $50 to $100.

TYING SG

True, and i think thats what most singaporeans is worried about when their maids just run off by themself and shirking responsibilities. Its the employer that bears the brunt for the irresponsible act of the maid.
At most the maid would just be sent back and the travelling fees, be it by air or sea, to be paid by employers. So you cant really blame some employers for holding on a tight rein onto their maids.

Atobe SG

Should it be any surprise that the Resident Fungi - that suckle on the juice of a race that arrogantly claim itself to be a World Leader - will now also similar harbor such arrogance even towards its own roots ?

Despite the discovery in 2001 of 10,000 African Children found to be enslaved in UK, should it not be a surprise that a 2003 study sponsored by the International Labor Organization had failed to include UK, USA and the European Union - in the many countries studied for the conditions of the domestic help employed.

'Domestic work, conditions of work and employment: A legal perspective'

Extracted from Page 7 of the referenced ILO Study, (or Page 13 of 106 PDF pages):

The countries for which legislation has been analysed are Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada (Ontario), Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte dIvoire, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lao People=s Democratic
Republic, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Mongolia, Namibia, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Swaziland, Sweden, United Republic of Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Was there any political accomodation to avoid any study in the manner that butlers and chambermaids continue to exist in the upper crust of the 'White Man's Society' - and is nothing more then a glorified version of the ancient social structure of Ruler and Serfs relationship ?

Are the employment conditions imposed on the butlers and chambermaids no different from the expectations that Singaporean employers expect from their foreign maids ?

Do the butlers and maids switch themselves off during the after-hours, or are they similarly at the beck and call of their employers, whom they live with ?

It is simply churlish of the resident fungi to believe himself an authority on this subject - while residing and sucking on the 'White Man's charity' - prefering to turn a blind eye to the atrocious social attitude of his master's 'White Man's society' while happily lashing out at his own Roots.

fymk SG

My aunt's maid threaten to kill her children because my aunt wanted to send her back to Indonesia . She had stolen things, invited strangers into the house etc.

oxford mushroom SG

Singapore, December 7, 2005) Women migrant domestic workers in Singapore suffer grave abuses including physical and sexual violence, food deprivation, and confinement in the workplace, said Human Rights Watch in a new report released today.

At least 147 migrant domestic workers have died from workplace accidents or suicide since 1999, most by jumping or falling from residential buildings. Migrant domestic workers earn half the wages of Singaporean workers in similar occupations, such as cleaners or gardeners. Unpaid wages is a growing complaint.

Many domestic workers labor without pay for months to settle debts to employment agencies, work long hours seven days a week, or are confined to their workplace, said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch. Singapores refusal to extend ordinary labor protections to domestic workers is leaving them open to abuse.

The 124-page report, Maid to Order: Ending Abuses against Migrant Domestic Workers in Singapore, is based on more than one hundred in-depth interviews with domestic workers, government officials, and employment agents. It details a range of abuses endured by domestic workers in Singapore and the response of the Singaporean government.

Families in Singapore employ approximately 150,000 women, primarily from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, as domestic workers. Human Rights Watch said the Singaporean government has instituted some encouraging reforms in the past two years. These include creating mandatory orientation programs for employers and domestic workers, prosecuting cases of unpaid wages and physical abuse, and introducing an accreditation program for employment agencies.

But key labor conditions, such as wages, hours of work, and salary deductions are left to employers and agencies, while domestic workers have little or no bargaining power. Human Rights Watch said that authorities have excluded domestic workers from the country's main labor laws. Starting in January, domestic workers signing new contracts will be entitled to a single day off a month. ....

http://hrw.org/english/docs/2005/12/07/singap12125.htm

oxford mushroom SG

Read the HUman Rights Watch report

"Maid to Order
Ending Abuses Against Migrant Domestic Workers in Singapore"

http://hrw.org/reports/2005/singapore1205/

oxford mushroom SG

Is it enforced labour or modern form of slavery? Not protect by labour law domestic workers suffer from long hours, no pay for months, no day offs, locked indoor, no phone calls, no sexual activities, and now the brutal beatings! Why?

......The wages seem exploitative in a country with one of the most affluent societies in Asia and having a per capita monthly income exceeding 2,000 dollars. And for round-the-clock work.

''Even machines need rest,'' says Filipino domestic worker Ellen Elancanal, who has been here for eight years. ''We work so many hours. We must have a day a week, whichever way we want to spend it''. She gets to spend her Sundays with a church choir, or helping fellow workers in trouble.

''Not giving people time off can make people disgruntled and stressed,'' said Helen Tan, spokeswoman for the Association of Employment Agencies, Singapore.

But many employers are wary of 'social problems' and choose to keep their maids at home.

Employers in Singapore risk forfeiting a 3,000 dollar-security bond if the maid goes missing--or if they fail to repatriate her at the end of the contract or in the event of pregnancy.

''They (domestic helpers) know that if they do that (get pregnant), they stand to lose everything. It's not in their interest to jeopardise the money they send home to their families,'' said Braema Mathi, president of Transient Workers Count Too, an agency defending the human rights of workers here.

''If employers are worried about pregnancy, then workers should have sex education. We can't control human behaviour to that extent and say that we are protecting her by not giving her a day off''.

On the ground though, many employers are sceptical about days off. ''They have boyfriends and all that!'' says Mary Lee, 58, a Singaporean homemaker who has employed several domestic workers over the last two decades.

''Some even go to Geylang (Singapore's red-light district) and earn extra cash, you know? We can't control the maids, so it's best that when we employ the maid, we tell the agent we don't want to give days off,'' Lee said.

Fear of 'social problems' causes employers to deny maids a day off and the stress of working without a break results in pent-up frustrations that create rather than solve a delicate problems which can be tackled on with responsibility and understanding.

''The bold maids are often those who have worked here for some time. Their employers trust them and some abuse their privileges,'' said Alice Cheah, owner of the Singapore agency, 'Caregivers Centre', stressing that 'havoc maids' are in the minority.

''Maids should be given days off. It'd be unhealthy psychologically if the maids are cooped up in the house every day. If the maids treasure their jobs, they will behave well,'' Cheah said.

http://www.thinkcentre.org/article.cfm?ArticleID=2661

OO_OO_OO SG

What about housewives? Those who take on the role of the maid at home?
Singapore has dozens of households which don't have maids.
These housewives taken on the role of the maid, and more, with other responsibilities such as ensuring that their children produce decent grades.
Are you implying that they overwork as well?

There's a limit to how much housework can be done. If a maid stays in the house for 24 hours, it doesn't mean she is working non-stop for 24 hours.
I'm sure majority of maids have free time at home and are able to pursue their own hobbies, write journals or even converse with maids from neighbouring households.

With regards to the argument about how maids should be allowed to roam freely, lets look at the basic function of the maid in an average Singaporean household.
Most households hire maids as both parents are working adults, having almost no time for the household on weekdays. Thus the maid has to be on standby, as she is "in charge" while no one is around.
What if the baby wakes up, and nobody is around?
or if a senior citizen needs to go to the toilet?

If you really want to know whats "abusive"
take a look at national service.
period.

Atobe SG

Are we supposed to be impressed or intimidated by the three cut and paste response from the Resident Fungi ?

Are these three cut-and-paste extracts from some Google discovery supposed to justify your allegation that the "MAJORITY of Singaporeans are Maid Abusers" ?

Nothing in these three posts come anywhere closer to any number that can possibly justify your false allegation that the MAJORITY OF THE 4.5 MILLION SINGAPOREANS are Maid Abusers.

From a 124 page report, it was only established that 150,000 women were employed by Families in Singapore - without mentioning how many were expatriate families and the actual number of Singaporeans.

From the 150,000 womern employed - supposedly on an annual basis (as nothing was mentioned in this number is based on total annual average) - the number of death since 1999 only 147 were killed by either falling off from high rise as a result of work accident or driven to death.

This 147 killed represent only 0.00098 per cent, and 150,000 employed by families in Singapore's population will reveal only 0.033333 per cent of 4.5 million Singaporeans having the ability to employ a maid.

How on earth did you come to your brilliant conclusion that the MAJORITY OF SINGAPOREANS are Maid Abusers ?

Are we supposed to accept the findings of these UK based researches to be infallible or objective with their report ?

The Resident Fungi should show more maturity and more circumspect in the manner that he accept reports from UK based Organisation that has an agenda of its own that continue to treat ex-colonies as being incapable of advancing further that the Coloniser.

What is your magic number that justify your false accusation that the MAJORITY OF SINGAPOREANS are Maid Abusers ?

Atobe SG

Is it not typical of some self-righteous patroniser that will judge other's backyard, and delight in downtrodding others with degrading tales without bothering to look at his own backyard ?

If the Human Rights Watch is at all concerned of the maids in Singapore since 1999, why have they not taken up the cudgel to represent those children who have been harbored in UK societies as child-slaves ?

Was there any outrageous follow-up revelation in the 10,000 child-slaves smuggled from Africa to UK that were exposed in a BBC report in 2001 ?

See African children 'enslaved in UK' .

If this Resident Fungi claim to be a Resident Expatriate who can harbor such callous views with superficial observation, it clearly show that the writer hardly know Singapore society even after 15 years; and it also show the limited circle that the Resident Fungi have been involved with.

Unlike the 10,000 African children that were rounded up like cattle, smuggled into UK, and forced to work under cover as slaves with meagre rewards; the maids in Singapore are paid a salary; although low by comparison of other wages paid in Singapore, the amount paid is far higher than the income that the maid can earn in her country of origin.

Unlike the 10,000 African children, the foreign maids WILLINGLY subject themselves to a Capitalistic "Supply and Demand" mechanism that determine the wage levels, and nobody is forcing these foreign maids from holding a pen and take up the contract to work in Singapore.

As Singaporeans, should we be apologetic to the wages that we are prepared to pay to the foreign maids ?

If our conscience must be affected, how should the conscience of the foreign owned phamarceutical firms be, when the fruits of their researches allow them to dictate the high profit prices for medicinal products that are urgently needed to save lives of those living in the poor Third World Countries ?

Are the Terms of Employment of maids or domestic help in Singapore not similar to the employment of Butlers and Chambermaids employed by the Upper Social Class of European and UK Societies ?

For the sake of security and confidentiality of the Upper Social Crust of the European and UK Societies, are those employed as Butlers and Maids also not subjected to the many stringent rules "on-and-Off" the Job ?

As such, where is the abuse, and what number will lead to the justification of a false statement being repeated that the "MAJORITY OF SINGAPOREANS" are Maid Abusers ?

Atobe SG

So the truth is out as I have previously speculated about your midnight tryst with some maid..... Cool

Why were you so uncomfortable and defensive with my speculative statement ?

For a self-acclaimed PhD holder, you seem to have a vast propensity to make inaccurate and baseless speculation, whereas my unqualified person had been more spot on with my observation and interpretation of the direction of your line of argument that reveal your actual position.

What makes you think that from a population of 4.5 Million Singaporeans - (Citizens and Foreign Permanent Residents like yourselves included) - that there exist a "MAJORITY of Singaporeans" are Maid Abusers ?

If this is the most insulting and derogatory statement that can come from one who finally reveal himself not a Singapore Citizen, but a Resident Expatriate - if we can believe your self-inflating personality.

How do you come to the brilliant conclusion that I am even defending those Maid Abusers, when I am persistently attempting to nail you on your derogatory statement that the "Majority of Singaporeans are Maid Abusers" ?

If this is not a weak attempt to wriggle your foot out of your own mouth, after taking a torturous route to explain your way out of a tight spot that you painted yourself into ?

For your information, the maid in my family sit at the table with the entire family during the main meal of the day - which is Dinner time; and despite given the liberty of the home and weekly time off, she would rather stay home to save money to send home, and follow the family on outings - (which incidentally, will have her also sit at the table when dining at the restaurants).

There are families who voluntarily give a one month bonus for each year of service completed, and payable into their bank account at the end of each year; with extra perks of paid air ticket for the vacaction home after extending the contract on completion of the previous contract term.

On top of the round trip air ticket, MANY Singaporean Families have found it in their hearts to give extra pocket money for the trip home, as well as helping the Maid with the payment of goodies and appliances to be brought home.

From the 147 cases of maid deaths since 1999, out of 150,000 being employed, this count hardly come near to the wild and derogatory statement made by the Resident Fungi, who probably saw green the vast advancement made by this ex-colony.

DriftingGuy SG

x2

Although the plight and working conditions of maids (Indonesian in particular) are indeed of great concern, employers are also facing trouble as well.

We had a maid at home who we gave benefits such a day off per week (or more money if she wants "OT" instead) like oxford mushroom. There was no abuse in any form what so ever, it was all good from day 1 and we all got along well... our maid even talked about considering extending her contract once it ended. However, unlike oxford, it didn't turn out well.

On the day her contract expires, we insisted on checking her belongings and after much resistance found several hundred dollar bills tucked away at the bottom of her luggage. We checked the drawer holding our spare cash and found the few hundred dollars missing.

We managed to force her to admit that she needed the money to give it to a male friend whom she meets during her off day for dont know what.

From that day onwards we resolved to employ maids who are willing to work 24/7. Bear in mind we still treat the maid nicely by bringing her out for family outings once in a while. But we just don't trust her to go out alone. If she is unhappy and wishes to quit prematurely, we are willing to lose the maid levy.

For many of the posters here without maids yet, all I get to say to you is that you can get very easily disillusioned once your trust in them is broken by their actions if you choose to employ one.

oxford mushroom SG

Singapore: Domestic Workers Suffer Grave Abuses
Migrant Women Face Debt Burden and Exploitation
(Singapore, December 7, 2005) Women migrant domestic workers in Singapore suffer grave abuses including physical and sexual violence, food deprivation, and confinement in the workplace, said Human Rights Watch in a new report released today.

At least 147 migrant domestic workers have died from workplace accidents or suicide since 1999, most by jumping or falling from residential buildings. Migrant domestic workers earn half the wages of Singaporean workers in similar occupations, such as cleaners or gardeners. Unpaid wages is a growing complaint.

Many domestic workers labor without pay for months to settle debts to employment agencies, work long hours seven days a week, or are confined to their workplace, said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch. Singapores refusal to extend ordinary labor protections to domestic workers is leaving them open to abuse.

The 124-page report, Maid to Order: Ending Abuses against Migrant Domestic Workers in Singapore, is based on more than one hundred in-depth interviews with domestic workers, government officials, and employment agents. It details a range of abuses endured by domestic workers in Singapore and the response of the Singaporean government. ...

Read more of the Human Rights Watch report:
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2005/12/07/singap12125.htm

oxford mushroom SG

Singapore accused of maid neglect

Female migrant workers in Singapore face what amounts to forced labour due to a lack of legal protection, US-based rights campaigners say.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) said domestic workers were overworked and frequently denied food, pay and social contact, as well as suffering physical abuse.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4502046.stm

oxford mushroom SG

Here's another report from the International Herald Tribune:

"...Stories of exploitation and abuse of migrant workers, especially women, in the richer countries of East Asia are so common as to barely elicit comment. But the Singapore report set off a media debate about the wisdom of allowing maids any days off. It emerged that it was common for maids not to be allowed out at all, for fear that they might wind up pregnant. Currently, an employer must pay a government fee, in addition to food, housing and medical care - and repatriate any maid who becomes pregnant. Many employers regard these impositions as reason to deprive maids of the normal rights of adults.

"We can't control the maids. So it's best that when we employ the maid, we tell the agent we don't want to give days off," one employer wrote to a local paper. A 2003 newspaper poll showed that 50 percent of maids got no days off; a lucky 10 percent got one day a week....

..Singapore's success in keeping the lid on its growing underclass is clear enough. But behind the abundant prosperity, clean streets and superb infrastructure is another Singapore of labor exploitation. In the case of domestic workers, it is nothing less than shocking."

http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/11/14/opinion/edbowring.php

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Atobe SG

Does repeating three reports over some consequetive days supposed to justify your comments that the MAJORITY OF SINGAPOREANS are Maid Abusers ?

From these reports read, it seems that these were based on some haphazard gathering of a few minor cases that actually occurred, and spiced up with the imagination of some "White Men with a Mission" - sitting at some desks in airconditioned comfort making news to justify their own continued existence and employment,

In all the forty five odd years of Singapore's independence, there have been rare cases of Singaporeans employers brought to court for ill treatment of foreign workers, but has anyone ever hit the headline of not paying foreign maids for months on end ?

If this not pure speculation and creation of news to sensationalise a non-existent issue ?

Your feeble attempt now seems even more insulting towards Singaporeans in general, now that you dare even to reveal yourself as an Expatriate Resident living in Singapore for more then 15 years.

Does living in Singapore for 15 years make you such an authority of Singaporean Life, when the issues that you have written on clearly show the shallowness of your thinking - revealing the fact that you have barely understood or even scratched the veneer of Singaporeans ?

Unless of course in your usual practice of inflating your own worth - from PhD qualification, to your association with minor Political Leadership of Communist China, and now are we supposed to be more respectful to your revelation as a Resident Expatriate ?

Are you expecting the local Singaporeans to show deference to your newly declared status as a highly qualified foreigner, a highly qualified expatriate living in Singapore ?

If at all, as an Expatriate Resident, you should have taken note of LKY's maxim towards foreigners, and stay clear of Local Politics.

If you do not like what is going on in Singapore with the manner that your domestic helper friends are being treated, you could take as many out of Singapore as your own country can be willing to absorb.

You will save yourself and the employers who employ your "Maid Friend" a hefty phone bill with your "midnight tryst".

oxford mushroom SG

The blinkered Atobe is so blinded that he will not see reason, but hopefully not all Singaporeans:

"I AM one of the thousands of Filipino maids in Singapore. Let me share my opinion about the proposed US$400 monthly salary of Filipino maids.
This recommendation made by the Philippine government is a good move for us because we work more than 12 hours a day with less than eight hours of continuous rest.

According to a study conducted by Harvard University, Singapore's maids boost the economy. Having maids at home who can take care of kids and even old folks allows skilled women to join the workforce, this increasing productivity.

The study found that private household workers make up about 7 per cent of the labour force, raise the income of local low-skilled workers and push overall income for nationals. As well as raising national income, the presence of maids increases tax revenue.

Among the Asian countries hiring maids, Singapore gives the lowest pay. Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan have raised maids' salaries a long time ago. Employers have complained that aside from the salary given to us, they still have to pay levy. So do employers in the countries mentioned above. Besides paying levy, they also give maids a day off every week and during holidays. Why can't Singapore do the same?

Domestic workers here are not included under the Employment Act. Separate laws apply to us. We are overworked and the laws to protect us are weak.

With regard to our salary, why can't the Government set a minimum wage for maids? Make it mandatory, not to be 'negotiated freely between workers and employers". Our monthly $350 salary divided by 16 working hours a day is equivalent to 73 cents per hour. Who wants to work at this hourly rate?

I feel envy when I learnt that the salaries of nurses and caregivers had been increased. We are the primary caregivers of Singaporean families. Although they called us maids, our job is more complicated than theirs.

We play a very important role in the lives of the people here and contribute to the country's economy.

Why it is very hard to set a minimum wage for us? Is it because Singapore subscribes to the principle of a free labour market, where wages are determined by market forces?

Aida S. Yuson (Ms) "

Straits Times 23 Mar

oxford mushroom SG

"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.

Laura Thornton-Olivry (Ms)"

Straits Times 30 Mar

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