Hi,


My daughter had been continously telling lies. We had talked to her about the consequences of telling lies and told her numerous real life stories of liars landed up in dire straits but she just can’t stop telling lies. In the end we resort to scolding and punishing her, unfortunately there are totally no improvement in her.

How would you "educate" your children if they lies chronically ?

Singapore bans ‘inappropriate display’ of maids by agencies

July 17, 2014


A maid agency at Bukit Timah Shopping Centre yesterday. — Two weeks after it said it found no inappropriate displays of maids by maid agencies at two shopping malls here, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has moved to ban certain “unacceptable practices” — including the “insensitive advertising and inappropriate display” of maids by agencies.

Spelling out the rules in an advisory sent out to agencies yesterday, the ministry said all advertising collaterals should “accord foreign domestic workers (FDWs) basic respect and human dignity”.

For example, agencies should refrain from public advertising — such as on shop fronts and websites — that mentions fees or likens maids to merchandise that can be purchased and replaced when found to be unsatisfactory. Maids should not sit outside agency premises, which gives the impression that they are “commodities” to be “tested or traded”.

If agencies do not cease such “unacceptable practices” with immediate effect, they could be given demerit points. Recalcitrant firms could have their licences suspended or revoked.

The move by the MOM comes after an Al-Jazeera report late last month on the treatment of maids in Singapore, which described how they were put “on display” at shopping malls and treated like “commodities” — an accusation maid agencies vehemently denied then.


The MOM also said at the time it visited maid agencies in the shopping centres mentioned in the report — Bukit Timah Shopping Centre and Katong Shopping Centre — but did not find any inappropriate displays of maids.

When contacted yesterday, Association of Employment Agencies (Singapore) (AEAS) president K Jayaprema said she welcomed the MOM advisory.

“With this advisory, there is now 100 per cent clarity that every agency has to correct itself. This will also send a strong message worldwide,” she said.

While she felt the Al-Jazeera report was exaggerated, she added that some agencies engaging in inappropriate practices may have escaped notice.

“Maybe those (agencies) the MOM visited might not have been those mentioned in the (Al-Jazeera) article,” she said.

Ms Jayaprema also said in addition to giving regular feedback on agencies to the MOM, the AEAS has written to the ministry to push for more control over placement fees, which are usually taken out of maids’ salaries.

Maid agencies Today spoke to said they would comply with the advisory, but some noted challenges.

Ok Maid Agency manager Michelle He said as “Singapore’s market is very small, customers always want cheap prices first before good service, which leads agencies to lower prices to be seen as a strong competitor”.

“It would be better if we could occasionally put promotions or discounts on our advertisements, stating when the promotion will start and run till, without stating the fees. Businesses still need to market themselves after all,” she said.

SunShine Employment Services’ manager, Rina, however, said such advertisements are “frankly part of a gimmick to attract employers and is not a proper way to do business”.

FC Maid Agency owner Edmund Soon said the service an agency provides as well as its reputation is more important than prices.

He added: “It’s one thing to display maids in the agencies — it’s another thing to parade them outside the premises. This will affect the maids’ performance and make them feel like slaves.”

United Channel Employment Agency director Kerrie Tan said that the agency trains their maids on basic household chores and gives English classes in a training area located beside their sales office.

The agency “does not display any maids in front of glass windows”, and maids are advised not to loiter outside their premises, she added. — Today

jacsplace:

Hi gumiho,


Thanks for sharing. Sounds like it was a bad experience that no one should have to go through.

When you write that you didn't cancel her employment pass, are you referring to her work permit? Don't you have to cancel it to indicate that your legal obligations to the maid have ended? How did she get on the plane without an air ticket?

Getting a taxi driver who speaks the same language as you would be helpful -- can explain the situation in front of the maid and she won't understand, I guess. The driver also needs to be willing to help if anything goes wrong so preparing him/her would be good.

Hi jacsplace,

Most people have the perception that we have to cancel the work permit before sending the maid off. Nope.... ~ You don't have to if you can't wait to send her out of your house. You may wrote to MOM explaining to them your reason or you may also call MOM beforehand to double confirm with them on the Work Permit procedure before sending the helper home.
I bought the air tix directly from the airport ticker counter and surprisingly it was not expensive.

Mrs Ang:

jacsplace:

The special pass is what the maid needs to give to the immigration officer at the airport when she enters the departure hall. If you cancel the work permit yourself, you need to print the pass. But if your agent is doing the cancelling, then you need to make sure that the agent hands over the special pass to the maid.


\"handle her into taxis\" -- do you mean her luggage? Taxi drivers will usually help to carry the bag/s in and out of the boot.

I mean what if she throws tantrums or act out cos we r sending her home?

Depend on what reason you give her for sending her home.
I would suggest you ask 1 or 2 family members to accompany you to send her home.

My ex-maid was a real obstinate and super problematic filipino helper. She continue to create problem for us until her very last day with us. Out of goodwill, we allow her to travel directly from Singapore to Hong Kong for her new employment when we are not suppose to and yet she return us with disrespectful and rudeness. I got really piss off by her attitude and sent her off to the airport without cancelling the employment pass and purchased any air ticket. She create a scene at the airport and refuse to board the plane, I seek help from the Airport Customer Service (also a filipino). He help me to check her in and escort her into the transit area. Once the maid had check-in, we, employer are discharge with all liabilities. :rahrah:

My advise for you, don't be afraid. Domestic helper themselves know that once their work permit is cancel, they cannot stay in Singapore anymore else they will be treated as illegal immigrant. Overstaying in Singapore doesn't benefit them.

Ahhh.... Forgot to mention that I also met up with a super helpful Taxi Driver. He even help me to eye on the maid when I forgot to bring her passport and had to dashed home to retrieve it. I would suggest you pick a driver who speak the same language as you and you explain the situation with him, from there if something happen he could also help you to drive her to the nearby police station.

Does anyone know any place in Singapore are selling the a/m and also Terro Ant Killer ll Liquid Baits ?

Panda555:

I will be travelling to bangkok with family end May. Hotel - Glow Pratunam. Does anyone know any good Thai food ard this hotel? Is it far from the hotel to Chinatown?

Nice thai food in Pratunam ? Not that I know of. Only heard there a famous wanton mee near to Glow Pratunam.
There are no BTS in Pratunam. You has to take cab from Pratunam to Chinatown. Around 15 to 20mins journey if the road is clear.

taz:

Do they charge for sofa bed ?

http://www.novotel.com/gb/family/special-offers.shtml

matrix0405:

My agent had the same advice. Their reaction is opposite. The 'worse' you are, the better they get.

TOTALLY AGREE !!