Singapore, rich neighbor and user of Indonesian maids
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There was a drive in demands of Domestic Helpers employment in the Singapore Households.
Many of the Singaporean Women tends to aspire and follow their own goals since the education levels in Singapore is increasing.
Most households, both husband and wife are in the workforce, the basic house chores like cleaning, washing, tidy-up, cooking even looking after the children and elderly are being taken care of by live-in domestic helpers. With their help, husband and wifes are able to concentrate on their job
According to the government's Foreign Domestic Worker Scheme, a Singapore citizen can apply directly for a foreign domestic helper at the Work Permit Department in the ministry, or through a domestic help agency.
The difference between Employment of Domestic Helper in Singapore and Hong Kong is that there are no laws to protect these workers as they are not recognize as formal workers. Unlike Hong Kong, they do no thave Minimum Allowable Wage, no Standard Contract, No Standard rest days or absence leave. The
Being informal workers, while they do not have a standard contract, the government encourages their employers to have individual contract, specifying the working arrangements.
The helper's salary is negotiable. Indonesian domestic helpers usually receive between $150 (US$89) and $250 (US$148).
Another cost incurred by the employer is a personal accident insurance for the helper. The employer can shop around for the best insurance cover provided the minimum payout is S$10,000 (US$5,917).
With no standard contract, the terms of employment are potentially very flexible. The government advises employers to draw up an employment contract with the helpers specifying terms and conditions of work such as salary, rest days, medical benefits, and scope of duties, but stops short of making it compulsory.
Employers are also exhorted to develop good relationships with their helpers, and warned not to punish the helper physically. Abusive employers are warned of prosecution in court and to face heavier penalty.
2006/02/02
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