MOM will prosecute errant maid employers

I REFER to the letter, 'Why maids had to beg for food' (ST, March 30), by Ms Laura Thornton-Olivry.

Under the Employment of Foreign Workers Act, all employers must provide their foreign maids adequate rest and meals. The penalty for employers who breach such work-permit conditions is a fine of up to $5,000 and jail for up to six months. Last year, 42 maid employers were prosecuted by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for abusing their maids.

Ms Thornton-Olivry suggested that MOM sets up a department to protect maids. We have already done so. The Foreign Manpower Management Division was set up to ensure that foreign workers are treated well. It operates a dedicated toll-free hotline for foreign workers (1800-6339-5505). This number is made known to maids through the employment booklet when they first arrive in Singapore and when they attend the mandatory safety orientation course.

Maids in need of help or concerned members of the public who know of maid mistreatment, such as lack of food, sleep or rest, can contact us.

We would like to assure Ms Thornton-Olivry that if a maid complains of ill-treatment, such as being overworked or not being given sufficient food, MOM will investigate the complaint and assist the maid.

Errant employers will be prosecuted and maids need not fear reprisal.

We invite Ms Thornton-Olivry to contact our officer on 6419-2679 to provide us with details of her allegations for investigation.

Jean Tan (Ms)
Director
Corporate Communicationsfor Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Manpower