Days off for maid
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Latest news! MOM is condsidering weekly day-offs for maids
AsiaOne
Friday, Oct 21, 2011
Domestic helpers may soon get a compulsory day-off from their daily chores.
Manpower Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said the ministry is considering making it compulsory for employers to give their maids at least a day off a week.
Employers may also have to compensate the maid if she agrees to forgo her rest day.
The Straits Times reported today that Mr Tharman made the announcement in a written reply to Mr Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah), who had asked whether the Government could mandate a weekly day off for maids.
Mr Tharman also said the proposal required careful consideration.
According to The Straits Times, the manpower ministry is consulting employers, domestic workers, employment agencies and non-governmental organisations on various aspects of the proposal, such as the amount of compensation for the rest day, and allowing maids and their employers to mutually agree on the day of the week.
Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports Halimah Yacob had previously said Singapore should consider such a legislation.
She told The Straits Times that having overworked maids who are not given sufficient rest can have implications as they take care of young children and the elderly.
Maids are currently protected under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, which states they must receive adequate rest.
Employers who fail to comply can be fined up to $5,000 and/or jailed up to six months, and barred from hiring another maid.
http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20111021-306333.html
The complete text can be found in today's Straits Times page C10
The purpose of giving weekly day-offs is just a pretext to increase the maid salary since knowing that 88% of the employers are unable (for some reasons) to give their maid more than a day-off per month. Thus, this compensating off in lieu of day-off comes in. As long as MOM is not the one coming out with the money (like reducing/removing the levy) why should they worry for the employers.
This is what they always preach during the GE on 'Singaporeans First'!!
:mad: -
When this kind of news is out in the papers, that means the decision will soon be announced unless the employers take to the streets like the HongKong people. But there is a risk of being locked up. So either way, employers would have no choice but to agree.
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I have 4 kids and a mother who cannot walk by herself. Luckily for me , my husband is reasonably ok in his job, therefore , we can afford two maids. So if need to , I can give my maids one off day per week. Otherwise , I would have to either :
1. heed my Khaw’s suggestion to send my mother to jb
2. Or start playing ping pong , tai chi , whatever , to push my mother to one of my siblings. Then, you can imagine , all siblings will become enemies , with non-stop quarrels. -
though i think maid should have a day off just like all workers, there are indeed some families who need one 24/7 like my handicapped sister. but even if cant give whole day, should at least give the maid a few hours off.
i wonder who are those in the employer's group the govt would be talking to cos i am sure the maids, employment agencies and non-governmental organisations would definitely want day off.
and employers would be fined or jailed if maids are not given adequate rest but we all know that many maids do not go to bed early cos' they are on the hp all nite. so it becomes the employer's problem and responsibility.
no protection for the employers..............
[quote]
Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports Halimah Yacob had previously said Singapore should consider such a legislation.
She told The Straits Times that having overworked maids who are not given sufficient rest can have implications as they take care of young children and the elderly.
Maids are currently protected under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, which states they must receive adequate rest.
Employers who fail to comply can be fined up to $5,000 and/or jailed up to six months, and barred from hiring another maid.
[quote] -
LOLMum:
[/quote][/quote]Employer group....first time hearng this....how about including you to speak for us?though i think maid should have a day off just like all workers, there are indeed some families who need one 24/7 like my handicapped sister. but even if cant give whole day, should at least give the maid a few hours off.
i wonder who are those in the employer's group the govt would be talking to cos i am sure the maids, employment agencies and non-governmental organisations would definitely want day off.
and employers would be fined or jailed if maids are not given adequate rest but we all know that many maids do not go to bed early cos' they are on the hp all nite. so it becomes the employer's problem and responsibility.
no protection for the employers..............
[quote]
Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports Halimah Yacob had previously said Singapore should consider such a legislation.
She told The Straits Times that having overworked maids who are not given sufficient rest can have implications as they take care of young children and the elderly.
Maids are currently protected under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, which states they must receive adequate rest.
Employers who fail to comply can be fined up to $5,000 and/or jailed up to six months, and barred from hiring another maid.[quote]
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maidless for about 2 years now.
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peapot:
When this kind of news is out in the papers, that means the decision will soon be announced unless the employers take to the streets like the HongKong people. But there is a risk of being locked up. So either way, employers would have no choice but to agree.
Did you notice that after the GE the prices of many things and utilities have gone up? These people think that since the next GE is still far away they would implement the increases now and when GE comes they can just wave some carrots in front of you so that you'll forget all the increases.
I think they're very naive. Next GE will see more votes going to the oppositions.
What's this 'SINGAPOREANS FIRST' they are talking about even for now in the parliamentary sitting?
My Foot comes FIRST!!
:mad: -
Day offs for maid are good on paper but practically will also create some problems for us and for them…Increased my maid’s day off to 3 days a month but i think the more they have , the more they want…Maid looked more and more tired with more off days.
Anyway, I thought some already "off" everyday , chitchatting downstairs with their countrymen, chittchatting on HP everywhere…Some are so free that they seemed to be on holiday or even having a party… -
Should leave it to employer and maid to come to an agreement.
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Breadandmuffins:
Day offs for maid are good on paper but practically will also create some problems for us and for them......Increased my maid's day off to 3 days a month but i think the more they have , the more they want...Maid looked more and more tired with more off days.
Anyway, I thought some already \"off\" everyday , chitchatting downstairs with their countrymen, chittchatting on HP everywhere.........Some are so free that they seemed to be on holiday or even having a party....
That's what precisely MOM's rule says - to have adequate rest time for your maid
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