Singapore (see also Indonesia)

Info for employers of foreign domestic workers

The Association of Employment Agencies and the Manpower Ministry have produced a new brochure for employers of foreign domestic workers in Singapore. The brochure contains information on common employment violations they should avoid so they cannot claim ignorance of the rules. According to the brochure, domestic workers can only perform chores at their official employer’s residence as stated on their work permits. This means that domestic workers cannot do paid part-time work elsewhere nor can they help out at their employers’ businesses or do chores for the employers’ relatives. Last year close to 300 domestic workers have been caught working in places other than their employer’s residence.

New training center for service providers opens

The new National Skills Recognition System Training Center for domestic workers, commercial cleaners and caregivers has officially started operations. The center, which is fully equipped to simulate modern household settings, is intended to upgrade the standards of Singapore’s service industry. Since it opened in April, the center has already trained more than 140 employees from the National Environment Agency and more than 250 domestic workers.

Filipina domestic worker arrested

A Filipina domestic worker was taken into police custody on 30 June after the woman she had been arguing with outside an 18^th floor flat in an apartment block in the Bedok residential district was found dead after falling from the high-rise building. According to Assistant Superintendent Victor Keong, there were scratches on the suspect’s arms and blood was also found on the 18^th floor.

Validity of Malaysian restricted passports in Singapore extended

Singapore has allowed some 100,000 Malaysian workers who commute daily to and from Singapore to continue using the Malaysian Restricted Passports for another four months until 31 October. Originally, the validity of the restricted passport should have expired on 1 July. The reprieve is intended to give Malaysians enough time to obtain international passports.

Sources: Asha Popatial, “Singapore extends deadline for Malaysian Restricted Passports use by 4 months," Channel News Asia, 23 June 2006; “Restricted passports can be used until Oct 31," The Star, 23 June 2006; Nelson Benjamin and Meera Vijayan, “Smoother entry for 100,000," The Star, 24 June 2006; “New training centre opens as part of drive to upgrade standards of service industry," Channel News Asia, 24 June 2006; Ravi Nambiar, “Reprieve for passport holders," New Straits Times, 26 June 2006; “New employers of maids to get brochure on common offences to avoid," Channel News Asia, 27 June 2006; AFP, “Filipina maid arrested in Singapore over compatriot’s death," INQ7.net, 30 June 2006