To reach out to as many Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) in Singapore as possible, the Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE) officially launched the Mobile CDE on 31 July 2016.
With the Mobile CDE, the centre seeks to bring services closer to a more diverse group of FDWs at various congregation areas on the island such as around Paya Lebar MRT, Toa Payoh Town Park, Ang Mo Kio Garden East and Coleman Street.
The Mobile CDE will set up kiosks to facilitate on-the-spot advisory and consultation for employment issues for both FDWs and their employers.
It will be deployed for at least two Sundays a month at the various congregation areas as a start, said CDE.
The launch, held outside Paya Lebar MRT, was concurrently the first outreach session of the mobile kiosk.
More Access to Help
Gracing the event as guest-of-honour, Minister of State for Manpower Sam Tan emphasised the need for FDWs to have access to help.
He said: “While most of our FDWs are settling in well here, a small number of them may run into difficulties. We have informed all FDWs of their rights and how they can get help, such as calling the Manpower Ministry’s FDW hotline. The Mobile CDE is another avenue for FDWs to seek advice and assistance.”
Speaking on the sidelines of the launch, NTUC Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) and CDE Chairman Yeo Guat Kwang reiterated the need for the centre to take an upstream approach to help FDWs.
“The Mobile CDE is an extension of our continuous efforts to make our services accessible to our stakeholders. At the same time, it will also help to raise awareness of CDE among the community at large,” said ASG Yeo.
He added that CDE will look into acquiring more mobile kiosks should the need arise.
Call to Come Forward
Indonesian domestic worker Mulsyastuti Sardjiman, 38, said that the mobile initiative can benefit many of her peers who are facing employment issues but are unable to go down to the centre. Ms Mulsyastuti also said that she had faced employment issues with her previous employers in her 12 years working in Singapore.
“My employer now is good to me. But I have experienced employment issues before with my previous employers and I wasn’t sure where to turn to for help. I volunteer my time with CDE whenever I can to help inform and educate my peers that there is a place where they can go to should they need assistance.
“Even better, we now have the centre going to them through the Mobile CDE. I hope those who are in difficulty do not keep their worries to themselves. Step forward and I am certain the centre will help them in any way they can,” said Ms Mulsyastuti, in Indonesian.
The Mobile CDE will next be deployed on 14 August 2016 at Toa Payoh Town Park between 12pm and 5pm. Details of the Mobile CDE’s upcoming deployment will be posted on the centre’s website.
