Singapore’s manpower ministry belies ‘discount maids’ report

Singapore's Ministry on Manpower (MOM) has belied reports that foreign domestic helpers, including Filipinos, are being “peddled” in malls there at discount prices.

In a statement on Wednesday, MOM said it “did not find any inappropriate display” of foreign domestic workers  (FDWs) when it visited Bukit Timah Shopping Centre and Katong Shopping Center — the two malls mentioned in an Al Jazeera report about the alleged peddling of foreign maids.

“MOM proactively audits Singapore's EAs [employment agencies] and those found to have acted in a manner detrimental to the interest of FDWs will be dealt with in accordance to the Employment Agencies Act,” MOM said.

According to Al Jazeera's report, workers from the Philippines, Indonesia and Myanmar are being displayed and marketed on “super promo” rates by some “maid agencies” in malls in Singapore.

MOM noted that when contacted by Singapore's The Straits Times, Philippine Labor Attaché Vicente Cabe allegedly said that the Al Jazeera article “doesn't seem to have basis.”

Cabe also reportedly saw some foreign maids sitting on one side of a room at some employment agencies while waiting to be interviewed by clients, but observed that “it seems exaggerated to say that there is anything wrong with that.”

On Al Jazeera's claim that some foreign maids could be seen demonstrating household chores within the premises of employment agencies, MOM said some agencies have training facilities in their premises so “it is not unreasonable for FDWs to be performing such chores at the EA's premises.”

It added that its rules are clear that employment agencies have to ensure the well-being of foreign domestic workers in their care.

“EAs are also informed, at the point of license approval and during audits, that they are not allowed to restrict the FDWs' movements or make them remain outside the EA's premises against their will,” MOM said. —KBK, GMA News