A Great Workforce A Great Workplace Policies & Regulations relating to the Employment of Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) 25 Oct 2017 10th ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour (AFML) Manila, the Philippines

Holistic FDW Management Framework Education and Outreach A Great Workforce A Great Workplace Education and Outreach Strong Regulatory Framework © 2017 Government of Singapore

Transparent Application Process A Great Workforce A Great Workplace FDWs must meet these requirements At least 23 years of age Minimum 8 years of formal education Employer or Employment Agency must submit Work Permit application online, which takes 1 week to process. Requires FDW’s Passport details Employment contract or written consent Upon approval, an In-Principal Approval (IPA) letter is issued and the FDW’s copy must be sent to her before entry into Singapore FDW should check that all details are accurate Must show IPA at Singapore airport to enter © 2017 Government of Singapore

1. Education and Outreach at various stages A Great Workforce A Great Workplace PRE-DEPARTURE IPA Letter with employment terms clearly stated in native language ARRIVAL Settling-In Programme FDW Handy Guide Pre-Paid Mailers STAY MOM FDW Hotline First-time Interviews Newsletters Rights & Responsibilities Safety Singapore’s social norms Avenues of assistance © 2017 Government of Singapore

Key Employment Terms and Conditions provided Pre-departure A Great Workforce A Great Workplace Key Employment Terms and Conditions provided All FDWs must receive their IPA letter in its entirety before they leave for Singapore The IPA letter : Is in both English and FDW’s native language States all important employment terms Informs FDWs of their employment rights and responsibilities Test Helper $550 Test Employer Test Employment Agency $21.15 © 2017 Government of Singapore

Pre-Deployment Course Arrival Pre-Deployment Course A Great Workforce A Great Workplace All first-time FDWs are required to attend a Settling-In Programme (SIP) before they are deployed to work The SIP: Is a 1-day course that teaches the FDW her rights and responsibilities, norms in Singapore, and where to seek help Includes classroom and practical components such as safe window cleaning and laundry hanging practices FDWs are also provided with FDW Handy Guide, emergency contact numbers and Pre-Paid Mailers to send in feedback Conducted in the FDW’s native language © 2017 Government of Singapore

Stay MOM’s outreach to FDWs A Great Workforce A Great Workplace MOM continues to engage FDWs throughout their employment to ensure continued assistance provided when needed Random first-time FDWs required to attend interviews with MOM Annual newsletter, INFORM, sent to all FDWs Events, such as FDW Day & Safety & Security Awareness Workshops © 2017 Government of Singapore

Other avenues of help in Singapore Stay Other avenues of help in Singapore A Great Workforce A Great Workplace Large network of support & avenues of help available to FDWs FDWs informed of various avenues of help, including 24hr helplines Counselling, employment-related advice and legal clinics in native language FDW Clubhouse Place to gather and interact on rest days and free activities like dance classes Courses for FDWs Conversational English, Culinary Skills, Financial Education, Personal Grooming © 2017 Government of Singapore

Outreach to Employers & Public Stay Outreach to Employers & Public A Great Workforce A Great Workplace Education efforts also extended to Employers & Public to enhance all-around FDW protection Compulsory Employers’ Orientation Programme (EOP) Educate new FDW employers on their responsibilities towards FDWs Monitoring of Employers who change FDWs frequently Employers may be required to attend classroom EOP or interviews with MOM Collaterals for Employers & Public Newsletter (INFOCUS) & EDMs sent to Employers Advertisements, posters, brochures to raise awareness Employers provided with handbooks and brochures on good employment practices EOP Classes focus on relationship advice, such as understanding the fears of new FDWs and providing close guidance at the start © 2017 Government of Singapore

2. Strong Regulatory Framework to support protection measures for FDWs Enforcement A Great Workforce A Great Workplace 2. Strong Regulatory Framework to support protection measures for FDWs Employment Agents and Employers face strong enforcement and administrative actions if they fail to abide by the EAA and EFMA. Protected under Employment Agencies Act (EAA) Fees charged by SG EA capped at 1 month of salary per year of service, up to 2 months Half of fees refunded if employer terminates within 6 months EAs must issue itemised receipts stating services provided and cost Protected under Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) Employer responsible for ensuring FDW’s well-being Sufficient food and rest, safe living and working conditions Medical care and insurance Prompt payment of salary © 2017 Government of Singapore

Comprehensive coverage under Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) Enforcement A Great Workforce A Great Workplace Comprehensive coverage under Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA) Work Pass Conditions imposed on Employers Provide and pay for upkeep and maintenance Provide proper accommodation Provide a safe working environment Provide adequate rest Provide a weekly rest day or compensation in-lieu Pay salary within 7 days from end of salary period Provide and pay for $15,000 medical insurance Provide and pay for $60,000 Personal Accident Insurance for work and non-work accidents Pay for cost of FDW’s return to home country at end of employment © 2017 Government of Singapore

Enhanced Penalty if victim is domestic worker Enforcement A Great Workforce A Great Workplace High penalties for errant employers, including enhanced punishment under the Penal Code Employers who fail to abide by the work pass conditions can be punished with a fine of up to $10,000 and/or jail of up to 1 year. Penalty prescribed in the Penal Code for certain offences in which the victim is a domestic worker enhanced by 1.5 times. Normal Penalty Imprisonment of up to 2 yrs and/or fine up to $5,000 Example Offence: Voluntarily Causing Hurt Enhanced Penalty if victim is domestic worker Imprisonment of up to 3 yrs and/or fine up to $7,500 Errant employers are also barred from employing FDWs. © 2017 Government of Singapore

Comprehensive approach in managing Employment Agencies (EAs) Enforcement A Great Workforce A Great Workplace Comprehensive approach in managing Employment Agencies (EAs) Regulations Monitoring and Engagement MOM conducts regular audits & manages an EA Demerit Point Scheme An online EA directory contains information relating to the EA’s performance (retention rates, placement volume, demerit points). Platforms such as EA seminars and EA alerts used to engage the EA industry and keep them up-to-date. EAs must meet stipulated conditions  Obtain certification, no previous convictions, security deposit of $20,000 to $60,000 Employment Agency Act, Rules and Licence Conditions ensure EAs conduct business that is fair to job seekers Enforcement and/or administrative actions will be taken against EAs in breach (e.g. prosecution, demerit points, forfeiture of security bond, revocation of licences) © 2017 Government of Singapore

Offenders punished to the full extent of the law Enforcement A Great Workforce A Great Workplace Offenders punished to the full extent of the law © 2017 Government of Singapore

Thank You A Great Workforce A Great Workplace © 2017 Government of Singapore