Human Rights Watch (HRW) urged Singapore to grant mandatory rest days to foreign domestic workers. According to Nisha Varia of the organization’s women’s rights division, foreign domestic workers should enjoy the same rights as other Singaporean workers, such as days off, limits on their work hours and ceilings on salary deductions. HRW said that a new standard contract for migrant domestic workers clarified service charges and refund policies for employers but failed to protect the rights of the workers.
At a preliminary hearing held on 18 July a Singapore court ordered Indonesian domestic worker, Barokah, 26, to stand trial for the death of her 75-year old Singaporean employer, Wee Keng Wah. Authorities found the employer’s body at the base of the apartment building where they lived. Barokah faces a possible death penalty, if found guilty of the crime.
Sources: AP, “Indon maid to be tried over Singapore employer’s death," The Star, 19 July 2006; AFP, “Activist pushes Singapore to give foreign maids holidays," Khaleej Times, 21 July 2006; Reuters, “Singapore: New contract shortchanges domestic workers," Human Rights Watch, 21 July 2006