New framework to ensure standards of maid agencies
- The Straits Times (19 Mar 2011) : New framework to ensure standards of maid agencies
- The Straits Times (12 Mar 2011) : Hold agencies liable for maid failures too
New framework to ensure standards of maid agencies
- The Straits Times, 19 March 2011
We refer to the letter by Ms Myrna Thomas (“Hold agencies liable for maid failures too”, 12 March 2011).
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) amended the employment agency (EA) regulatory framework in January this year to enhance the accountability of all stakeholders in the industry.
Under the new framework, which comes into effect from 1 April, MOM will impose minimum service standards across all EAs, governing relations between the EA and the employer. With this extension, EAs will abide by a common set of service standards, which includes being explicit about their agency's dispute resolution mechanism. EAs that place FDWs will also have to use a standard service agreement that will require the EAs to be clear about their agency's policies with regard to replacements and refunds, among other things.
To help employers make a better informed decision before engaging an EA, MOM has also enhanced its online Employment Agency Directory (
http://mom.gov.sg/eadirectory) to provide useful information on the profile and track record of EAs. The Directory makes available the Entry Test passing rate as well as the retention rate of foreign domestic workers (FDWs) placed by EAs. MOM will also be introducing a standard bio-data template for EAs later this year to provide information on prospective FDWs. EAs are also required to provide the prospective FDW employer with the employment history of the FDW.
We urge FDW employers to make use of these tools in their search for a suitable EA and FDW. Employers may also wish to subscribe to MOM’s free six-monthly electronic newsletter, InFOCUS, to be kept updated on new policies pertaining to FDWs (
www.mom.gov.sg/signup_infocus).
Hold agencies liable for maid failures too
- The Straits Times, 12 March 2011
Having been through no less than five maid agencies myself in the last one year, I fully agree with Madam Rosamund Loh's observation that maid agencies think their duty to employers ends once they have secured them a maid ('Rules favour errant maids and penalise employers'; Tuesday).
The reason for this is the financial gain they stand to make when a maid does not pan out. Not only do they receive fresh placement fees from the employer, if these have not been built into the agency agreement, but they also receive a fee from the maid again. This is because every time a maid seeks a new job, she has to pay a fee to the agency. This ranges from $500 to a few months' salary.
One maid I talked to had already paid her agency $1,500 for the three jobs she had been placed in over six months. Each time, she was required to take care of an infant by her employers, for which she had no experience or skills.
The Ministry of Manpower must introduce a rule requiring agencies to bear the cost of finding both employers and maids at least three fresh matches for the first six months.
This will ensure that agencies take the pains to find out the abilities of the maid and the needs of the household fully before making a placement.
Maid agencies need to earn their money fairly and not see themselves as fast revenue generators.