By Shukry Rashid
According to a report card released by the Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE) in January, salary disputes was one of the three most common issues raised by Foreign Domestic Workers (FDW). To address this issue, CDE is calling on both FDWs and employers to make arrangements for salary payments electronically.
CDE Chairman Yeo Guat Kwang said: “CDE wants to encourage both our FDWs and employers to adopt electronic payment to minimise any salary-related disputes.
“According to the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, if the FDW requests for her salary to be paid through electronic means, the employers shall respect her request and make the necessary arrangements for her salary to be paid through direct transfer into her Singapore bank account.”
CDE can also assist FDWs to open a POSB Payroll Account (FDW) through an online channel at its offices without having them to make any initial deposit or maintain a monthly minimum deposit amount.
Here’s a step by step guide on how to open an account:
FDWs and their employers may approach CDE to apply for the opening of the POSB Payroll Account (FDW) account for the FDWs, by following the steps below:
1. Fill up the two consent forms (Employer Consent Form and FDW Consent Form).
2.Things to Bring
3. Set up FDW’s email address and mobile number before coming to the centre.
4. Once all required documents are ready, the FDW and/or employer can visit the CDE offices in either City Plaza or Peninsula Plaza, Tuesdays to Sundays, 10am to 5pm.
A Place to Meet
The satellite offices will also go beyond being walk-in centres for FDWs with employment-related concerns. FDWs and CDE volunteers will be able to use the satellite offices in City Plaza and Peninsula Plaza as places to engage in meaningful activities such as handicrafts and outreach to fellow FDWs.
International Migrants Day
CDE, on the same day, also celebrated International Migrants Day at its City Plaza and Peninsula Plaza offices.
Gifts such as packets of nuts, tote bags and EZ-Link cards were distributed to 1,000 FDWs.
Good to Know
Where to Find Us
The Centre for Domestic Employees launched three satellite offices on 17 December 2017 to provide foreign domestic workers with easier access to assistance.
Strategically located at City Plaza, Peninsula Plaza and Union Square, they are in areas where many FDWs congregate over the weekend. The offices started operations in mid last month.
For more information on CDE or the POSB Payroll Account (FDW) account, email contact@cde.org.sg or call 1800 2255 233 (24-hour toll-free).
