I refer to The Straits Times’ article, “Employer in coma, maid unpaid since October”, dated 4 Jan 2016.
As a Labour Movement, we are sympathetic that the domestic worker concerned has fallen upon hardship as a result of some unfortunate turn of events. We also sympathise with the employer in view of her current health condition. We recognise that the employer had dutifully paid the worker her salary up till the former’s second stroke, and for whom it must be said, did not have the intention to deprive the worker of her salary.
When a non-domestic migrant worker falls into hardship or encounters employment difficulties, the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) provides them assistance with emergency housing and subsistence relief, complaint filing, and representation through the statutory resolution processes. The MWC also helps in the facilitation of their repatriation, if they wish to return home; or transfer to a new employer, if they choose to stay on and continue working. The MWC’s services are provided at no charge and are freely available to all migrant workers at the work permit level.
At the end of January 2016, the National Trades Union Congress will launch a new help-centre, similar to the MWC, to assist all needy or aggrieved domestic workers, whether local or foreign. It is our hope that in operating this new Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE), we will be able to reach out to and help even more workers, including those like this affected domestic worker.
Yeo Guat Kwang
Assistant Secretary-General, National Trades Union Congress and
Chairman of Migrant Workers’ Centre
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