Manpower Ministry implements mandatory monthly rest day for migrant domestic workers

SINGAPORE'S Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced on Thursday several new initiatives to strengthen support for migrant domestic workers (MDWs) and their well-being.

These include the need for employers to provide MDWs with at least one rest day a month that cannot be compensated away. The new mandatory rest day policy will take effect in end-2022.

The ministry said that this will provide MDWs with more opportunities to form support networks outside the household as well as to rest and recharge from work.

Additionally, employment agencies (EAs) will be required to conduct post-placement checks from the fourth quarter of 2021. This is to ensure that MDWs and employers are adjusting well, and EAs may offer support if needed.

"As the intermediary that facilitates matches between MDWs and employers, EAs play an important role in helping both parties build strong relationships," MOM said.

Furthermore, MDWs will be interviewed twice in their first year of work, up from once currently, so that MDWs and employers have opportunities to raise and resolve issues, and settle into their working relationship. This comes on the back of an earlier announced expansion of such interviews to cover all first-time MDWs by the end of this year.

MOM will set up three neighbourhood centres in partnership with the Centre for Domestic Employees to facilitate these interviews, the first of which is targeted to be operational by the first quarter of next year.

To better pick up any signs of abuse, six-monthly medical examinations for MDWs will also be enhanced. From the third quarter of this year, doctors will be required to record MDWs' body-mass index and check for signs of suspicious and unexplained injuries. Such records may be submitted to MOM for follow-up if necessary.

These initiatives follow a review by MOM, which included consultations with stakeholders such as employers of MDWs, employment agencies, non-governmental organisations and doctors.

As these measures come into effect, MOM hopes to help MDWs and employers settle smoothly into their working relationship as well as detect signs of abuse more quickly by enhancing current touchpoints and helping MDWs build a wider network of support beyond their households.

"We would like to encourage everyone to play a part in building a culture of respect and care for MDWs, in our homes and our communities," the ministry said.