|
THE Government has no plans to introduce a mandatory rest day for foreign maids - at this point, said acting Minister for Manpower Gan Kim Yong.
In a written response to a question from Nomination MP Siew Kum Hong in Parliament on Monday, Mr Gan said most maids are happy working in Singapore and the reported cases of abuse have remained low.
'There is therefore no need at this point for MOM to legislate a mandatory rest day,' he said, reiterating that the ministry is committed to safeguarding the well-being of foreign domestic workers (FDWs) in Singapore.
Mr Gan said as part of the Work Permit conditions, employers are responsible for the well-being of their FDWs, including the provision of adequate rest.
Employers who fail to comply with this requirement can be fined up to $5,000 and/or jailed up to six months. They will also be barred from hiring another maid.
In addition, the accreditation bodies have, in 2006, introduced a standard employment contract for FDWs. All accredited employment agencies are required to use this standard contract. The standard contract requires employer to stipulate the number of rest days per month, and zero is not an option, said the minister.
Employers are also required to compensate their FDWs salary, should the FDWs work during their rest days.
'This is a more practical approach than legislating a fixed number of rest days per month for FDWs, given the unique nature of domestic work,' added Mr Gan.
'Households that have for example disabled family members who require constant attention may find it difficult to release the FDW for a prescribed period every month. Therefore, allowing households the flexibility to work out an employment arrangement with their FDWs, including paying their FDWs for not taking their rest days, is a more sensible approach.
'Nonetheless, MOM encourages employers to grant FDWs rest days regularly wherever possible.
| 
