Women warriors are gritting their teeth and putting on their battle gear as they enter – or re-enter – the workforce, and are keeping the nation’s economy vibrant and diverse.
Speaking at the Budget Debate in Parliament on 24 February 2021, NTUC Women and Family (WAF) Unit Director Yeo Wan Ling said this about women workers who have stood up to the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Even as we weather the storms of crisis, where household incomes have taken a hit, women have once again risen to the occasion,” she said.
It is also against this backdrop that flexible work arrangements have opened possibilities to redesign jobs for more inclusive workplaces.
Ms Yeo highlighted the need to make use of this opportunity to continue to let women reimagine their many livelihood options. But they need support from the tripartite partners to do this.
“Every woman warrior needs to be equipped with armour so that they can go the distance,” she said.
Ms Yeo proposed the formation of an in-community registry of professional caregivers who could help with eldercare, childcare, and even cleaning services. This could be made publicly available for women to access short-term care easily.
“As we recognise the pressures faced by our women warriors, I put forth that there is also a need to provide support for respite care that might alleviate the burdens of our women workers,” she said.
Foreign domestic workers (FDW) are an important component of this support, said Ms Teo.
She shared that together with the NTUC’s Centre for Domestic Employees, the WAF conducts a monthly advisory and legal clinic for employers and FDWs.
“I was delighted to observe that the vast majority of people who come to our clinics were there to receive best practice tips on how to best relate to the people they were living with under the same roof,” said Ms Yeo.
She added that although respite care options are available, they may not be affordable for certain families. Therefore, additional subsidies to help primary caregivers relieve the financial burden of seeking assistance are needed.
Ms Yeo proposed to set up a ‘Singapore Centre for Working Women’ – a single resource centre where women can come to explore new livelihood options, air grievances, seek mentorship, access best practices, apply for support, seek redress, form alliances and provide guidance to others.
“It is my hope for our women warriors to have a safe space to be themselves amidst other warriors — a place where women can unabashedly be themselves, unashamed to seek help, and in these connections, be empowered to be the best versions of themselves,” she said.
