Sophia Tsang/
In a letter to Today, MOM made a declaration regarding the Security Bond. (“Truth about the Security Bond” June 25 2011 ):
- It is aimed at ensuring that employers remain responsible for the proper upkeep and maintenance, as well as prompt salary payment to foreign workers
- It also prevents illegal deployment and ensures the timely repatriation of foreign workers.
- Since January 2010, MOM has removed employers’ liability if the FDW gets pregnant or breaches other Work Permit conditions that relate to her own behavior.
- The forfeited security bond is used to cover repatriation and other related costs once the worker is found, so that it does not exact a cost on taxpayers in Singapore
- From 2005 to 2010, MOM forfeited an average of 65 (less than 0.04 per cent) security bonds for FDWs each year. As of December 2010, there were 201,000 FDWs working in Singapore
Point 1 is commendable in principle. In practice however, is the situation actively monitored? I suspect there are many more cases of such abuse than actually reported. Even if the employer is caught out, the bond works merely as a guaranteed fine. By the way, since employers buy insurance, depending on the plan bought, the errant employer is likely to be out of pocket by a mere $250.
Point 2 is also commendable in principle. Again, there are many cases of unreported abuse. Does that make the security bond ineffective in these 2 instances? If MOM is serious about safeguarding the maid against these, is it not time to think of other more effective measures?
Point 3 is a relief for employers. Some employers who have employed maids for a long period may not even be aware of this change. It also makes the excuse of being forced to be prison wardens less convincing. It does not however prevent social problems from arising. Good employers who are genuinely concerned with the well-being of their maids should think about their welfare – and it is not by confining them to your house all the time.
I am going to leave point 4 alone for the moment. Looking at point 5 reinforces how minimal the forfeiture really is.
Take a look at the foreign maid levy. From MOM website - The Foreign Worker Levy is a pricing mechanism to control the number of Foreign Workers (including Foreign Domestic Workers) in Singapore. While I appreciate we may have some of the best brains in parliament, cabinet and various top civil service positions, I wonder when we will look beyond using money as a control over most ills.
The levy sum has varied over the years. At one time it was as high as $345 a month. Currently the levy stands at $265 for most employers and, if you qualify, $170 as a concessionary rate. Using $200 as an estimate, and given that there are some 200 000 FDWs in Singapore, this amounts to (200 x 200 000 x 12) $480 million or nearly half a billion per annum. Compare this to the 65 forfeiture of the security bond, even if it is full forfeiture (MOM said in various instances, only half is forfeited) this amounts to $325,000 which is a drop in the ocean compared.
To me, this makes having a security bond on top of levies seem overly “kiasu”. Taxpayers’ money is certainly not going to be touched for repatriation and other expenses in the case of a runaway. The levy more than covers it. Point 4 to me cuts no ice. The ultimate effect is that the nervous or unreasonable employer will use the bond as an excuse to overly control the maid.
While I understand the rather unimaginative way of trying to control influx of foreign workers via using levies, I suggest putting the levies to better use to make this pill easier to swallow.
Foreign workers have many problems. Instead of leaving it to the employers alone, surely part of this money can be used to organize activities for FDWs. Encourage the formation of a buddy system, pairing seasoned maids with new ones. Classes to help new entrants get adjusted to the culture and expectations of living in Singapore will help. Self-improvement classes to give them skills they can bring home with them will be welcomed. How about subsidizing them to visit some local attractions – Sentosa, the zoo, night safari and the like? Many are here out of need. Can we not give them at least some joy? Such activities will be much appreciated, especially when the maids are new. Furthermore it will be easier for employers to let them out if they know the maids are well taken care of.
No, I am not expecting the government to do everything. As the main host, the employers have a pivotal role to play. Nonetheless, the government, with a vested interest to maintain law and social order in the country, has the means to take the lead, to be the role model.
It is easy to say we legislate a day off a week for the FDWs then wash our hands as a job well done. The question is, is this enough?
The writer blogs at speakspokewritewrote.wordpress.com
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Given the amount of levies collected, the security bond is certainly not necessary. Employers also should not be responsible for any trouble these maids get into.
But the suggestion to have self-improvement classes to give them skills they can take home is ridiculous. Why should we spend money to give them skills? Might as well spend the money on ourselves.
Subsidizing them to visit some local attractions – Sentosa, the zoo, night safari and the like, is also ridiculous. They’re here to work, not sightsee or have fun.
Ultimately, these are uneducated people. Give them an inch, they take a yard. Never give them anything more than the absolute necessary. Let’s face it. They’re here only because we need them. In actual fact, they’re not welcome here. They should be grateful we give them a job.
The government job is to facilitate and not interfere in the employment of maids.
Domestic employers are small time employers please do not compare them with main stream business employers who have a lot of money to settle issues unlike domestic employers.
I agree, i think no matter how much alternate groups campaign for migrant worker rights, the truth is that the government has to take care of their own citizens first. Look at how many people are unhappy w the PAP..
Im curious to see if my wage will really rise by 30% in a couple of years as promised by them..
@ True Blue
If ever your wages rises by 30% in a couple of years as promised by them…..THEIR wages would have risen by 300% FIRST since they come first in the queue…..
By that time, ALL our national assets would had been sold (aka transfered) to GIC & TH at piece-meal and then off-loaded by them to other entities (aka payments transfers or securization or whatever name called under creative accounting) so as to “finance” your 30% wage rise…..and their 300% too.
So, do you seriously still want that to happen? Leaving an “Emptied-Shell” country to your children or to future generations of debts?
“Point 1 is commendable in principle. In practice however, is the situation actively monitored? I suspect there are many more cases of such abuse than actually reported. Even if the employer is caught out, the bond works merely as a guaranteed fine. By the way, since employers buy insurance, depending on the plan bought, the errant employer is likely to be out of pocket by a mere $250.”
I think the errant employer will find it more difficult to purchase insurance (or require a higher premium) with the next foreign worker that he hires. But admittedly as a “fine” the security bond is not the best tool.
You can buy insurance for the security bond. It costs a couple of hundred and the co-payment is only $250 if one needs to pay up the $5K.
I really don’t know why it is even used as an excuse not to let maids have a day off.(not referring to this article.
We see lor, next election coming see whether WP will retain my loyal vote or whether the Pappies keep to their word their wage decrease and my wage increase!
Obviously the amount of FDW levies collected contributes to our Ministers’ salaries.
But in return, what has our PAP govt really done to raise the welfare of our FDWs ?
Only interested in the monies, but don’t even want to give them a compulsory rest day off ? Does that not make our PAP govt an accessory to slavery ?
sad story。。。
羊毛出在羊生上
THIS is Slavery. (Slavery is forced labor or exploitation with little to no pay (beyond subsistence) as a result of force, fraud or manipulation.)
Force is a major component in the definition of slavery.
I can’t really say that the maids in Singapore were forced to come here, and the pay is just above subsistence (when subsistence is provided by employers, meaning their whole pay is on top of subsistence.
What I would say though, is that exaggerating to make a point isn’t helping.
The idea of holding organised outings for maids is a good one. Government sponsored organisations like the Community Centres can take the lead like holding leasure trips for them to places like the zoo, bird park and Santosa at subsidised rates (say making them pay $2-3). It can be on select Sundays or any other day of the week. I and I am sure many other employers too will be most happy to send our maids to the CC for the trip and fetch them back when they return.
K Das
I am sure many other employers too will be most happy to send our maids to the CC for the trip and fetch them back when they return.
………………
wah you are 1 hello of a kileng kind mployer ere..
you give your sri lanka maid her sunday day off..when she finished dancin aroun the coconut tree..you go fetch her back home?
Government sponsored organisations? TPL’s mother still yet to visit Universal Studios, and we sponsored them using tax-payer money again?
It is better for the maids to have sex to relieve, and it is free.
What about foreign workers?
I personally feel that more should be done to curb the influx of foreign workers, instead of just raising levies.
I think this article is missing the point.
Levy and security bonds are 2 different matters altogether.
All employers of FWs pay a FW levy. http://www.mom.gov.sg/Pages/default.aspx
The levy is to discourage Singaporeans from hiring FWs.
The security bond is required because if the maid crys foul and the employer refutes her claim and refuses to send her back to her home country as required by law, then the $$ will be taken from the bond to send her back. Whether insurance is bought or not is another matter.
As for day-off, this is something that the employer and maid negotiates before employment. I guess the complainers here do not hire maids so they do not know.
BTW, many experienced domestic helpers will demand for a day off and will refuse employment if the employer requires them to work on weekends. E.g. take care of babies or old folks. This is their previllage and they know it.
Also for those willing to work on weekends, you still need to pay them extra too. Fair right?
That is why 1/2 of Singapore, those that hire maids, tell the Gov that they are mad for even suggesting it.
Is a non-issue in the first place; if you do not believe me, go to an employment agency cluster and ask around.
Black Hei
then the $$ will be taken from the bond to send her back
………………
in YOUR dream…when mployer signed the dotted lines… you will get back YOUR $5000 bond with immediate effect upon sendin your maid back
do any of the maids ere air tix even xceed $1000?
“How Tony Tan is related to the Lee family” (TRE)
Some people are simply gifted.
God gave them good brains. It’s in th genes.
Remember”chip of the old block”.
A resourceless, tiny island has become an “economic miracle”.
We don’t tout this accolade. It’s the people around the world singing praises abt Singapore when I read and when I meet them.
Others – So sad. God made them empty and noisy. Envious and jealous and always complaining. Even afetr GE when the official government of the day takes office also complain. So much for American-style democracy practised by immature Asians.
We value smart people regardless. Don’t we?
Just because there is some distnct relationship we ought to cast them aside as road sweepers?
Singapore – you have done very well indeed.
Just look at ALL the hungry Arab countries in the Middle East today.
Just look at PIIGS – Greece is in deep shit again. Portugal ans Spain emerging . . . How erh?
Have eyes can see. Whilst some as Jesus says, “Have eyes and yet blind’.
How we wish more of such related smart people can come forward and continue to grow Singapore from now a 1st World country into a Super 1st World country.
4th highest per capita income in the WORLD. Largest forex in ASEAN and 2nd in Asia. The most number of millionaires per capita on the planet! etc., etc.,
Bluff who?
OF MAIDS & WORKING CONDITIONS
Generally, Singaporeans are compassionate, charitable and empathize with the less fortunate and the majority of employers treat their maids decently like a human being.
There is no logic in forcing the employer to be responsible for any misbehavior committed by the maid for which the employer has virtually no control over what the maid does during their off days.
Thus, to protect themselves, many employers kept their maids “lock up” in the house to protect themselves from being wrongly penalized.
Most employers have indicated their willingness to grant a day off per week to their maids if the security bond is removed.
It is most commendable that Madam Yacob, Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sport came out in favor of granting a weekly day off to the maids. She said “just like any other workers, domestic workers, too, need to rest and should not be made to work excessive hours that could affect their health and well-being.
According to a news report in ST, Singapore is among 63 countries that had abstained from voting in an ILO convention held in Geneva to grant domestic workers greater protection from exploitation.
According to Ministry of Manpower, Singapore would only sign the treaty when it was sure it could implement it in Singapore. That is a queer position to take because, over the years, the government had implemented many unpopular laws and regulations.
With over 200,000 maids working in Singapore, MOM should play a more constructive and active role as a fair and true regulator to justify its annual earnings of over $500 million annually.
It should ensure that no employer ill treats and abuses its maid. It should provide a standard working contract between employers and their maids. It should also closely monitor that employers adhere to their contractual obligation.
According to the Employment Act, both white collar and blue collar employees work a maximum of 35 hours and 44 hours a week respectively and enjoy rest days on public holidays including annual leave with pay from one to three weeks depending on length of service for a full year of continued service,
Based on these parameters, maids should not work more than 84-hour week (14 hours X 6 day week) which is almost twice the number of working hours than blue collar workers.
This will allow maids 10 hours rest per day for sleeping, rest, time for eating, bathing, etc. Normally, maids are required to wake up at 5.00am and her duties should end around 7.00pm.
Let’s show the world – especially to countries that provide domestic workers to help our economy grow – that we are a humane and caring country.
@jonathan wang – going to post your comment in my blog as a comment. if you do not agree to that, please just buzz me either here or at my blog.
Jonathan Wang’s comment is well written.
However, I am not sure if the below is true.
“Generally, Singaporeans are compassionate, charitable and empathize with the less fortunate”.
I do not hire a FDW myself as my wife and I are able to keep the house in order and my in-law helps to look after the children during our working hours.
I have heard many horrid stories on FDW, not about the behaviour of the maids but rather their employers, directly and not through 3rd person accounts.
For examples:
- 16-18 hrs Work Time table daily including mopping the floor twice a day
- Deducting the maid’s salary when the maid damage something in the house due to ignorance or carelessness
- Forbidding the maid to lock the toilet door while using the toilet and even doing spot check while maid is using toilet to ensure she is not using mobile phone
- Sorting out food like vegetables and gave the maid the reject ones to be consumed by the maid.
I was shocked to learnt about this as these people are well educated Singaporeans with some holding Manager/Director posts, and they don’t seems to feel that they are doing anything wrong and think that what they are doing is justified.
In other words, they think that the FDW are slaves and they are the masters. And reading the posts by Pretentious and Ivoteahmeng, we know there are many more such employers out there.
While many Singaporeans are complaining about stagnant or low wage levels, please compare that with what your FDW are getting and you should know that you are getting the best deal even if she only works 8 hrs a day x 5 days a week.
Hence I hope all FDW employers would treat your FDW in more compassionate and humane manners, and try to welcome the FDW into the family instead of degrading her like a slave. If the FDW is able to feel the warmth and compassion form the employer’s family, there would be a lot less problems with FDWs naturally. It would be a win-win situation.
@goh- i suspect there are employers like that. But i also believe most are not. most over control out of fear. However, since so much levy is collected, i think its not out of order to do more for the social needs of the fdws – and should include employer education.
Goh
Sorting out food like vegetables and gave the maid the reject ones to be consumed by the maid.
…………
me niece and her hubby a major in the defence arms stricty followed the military officer’s conducts
they will never allowed the maid to be on the same table when they had their meals..btw.. they lived in a nice big condo… but they are not stingy on leftovers.. they will give a portion of whatever leftover(they alway cooked xtras) for the maid…
me sister’s maid is well treated by me sister’s family…they all eat together in the same table side by side..the maid cooked 1 hell of a delicious meals..every time when/if i pass thru her area..they will alway ensured a space is availiable to me.. when me sister and family goes outings.. her maid got to choose what she wanna eat..
no figure..no budget restrainnin..
in return?.. the maid give her best to take well care of the family..ow many maids can you find in singapore that hav a drivin liscene and can drive a pickup through choachukang tight lanes ching ming festivals? i can’t for i hav the phobia of tight cornors…