1. 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

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

3. Transparent Application Process
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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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Pre-Deployment Course
Arrival
Pre-Deployment Course
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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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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 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

13. 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

14. 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

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