2 October 2006
Media Release
Dear Editor,
1. Foreign workers, who are far from home and are unfamiliar with their rights, deserve greater attention and protection against errant employers. The Migrant Workers Forum is pleased that MOM has heeded our calls to do more to prevent such abuse. Through our interaction with the FDWs and regional labour organisations, we understand that the first three to six months of the FDW’s stay in Singapore are the most critical periods. The random interviews with FDWs working here for the first time is very useful to enable the MOM officers to understand their situation better and help prevent abuse. We would like to suggest that MOM also consider performing random checks on first-time employers.
2. In February 2005, MOM responded to our suggestion to add a new requirement in the work permit conditions to require employer to pay his/her FDW her monthly salary within seven days from the end of the salary period. The Employer is also required to maintain a record of the monthly wages paid to the FDW. While there are general improvements to the salary payment situation with the amendment, cases of default payment remain as key issue for the affected workers.
3. This latest initiative will help to ensure prompt and proper payment of salary with transaction records through the banks. In addition, the FDW may be encouraged to start some form of savings with the potential benefits of bank interest to be earned as well.
4. The labour movement strongly believes in the duty and responsibility of employers to treat their employees fairly. We call on all employers to exercise such respect for all their workers, regardless of nationality.
YEO GUAT KWANG
CHAIRMAN
NTUC MIGRANT WORKERS FORUM
