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Ministry checking on maid who drove for employer

  • The Straits Times (02 August 2012) : Ministry checking on maid who drove for employer 
  • The Straits Times (28 July 2012) : Are maids allowed to drive?


Ministry checking on maid who drove for employer
- The Straits Times, 02 August 2012

We refer to the letter by Mr Ng Chee Kheon (“Are maids allowed to drive?”, 28 July).

2.   A foreign domestic worker (FDW) is employed to take care of the domestic household needs of the employer’s family. Driving a motorised vehicle is not an essential component of household work, thus, an FDW should not drive as part of her domestic duties. Doing so would constitute a breach of the Work Permit conditions.

3.   The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will consider, on a case by case basis, where a family has special needs and seeks approval from the Ministry to do so.

4.   MOM is currently investigating the case mentioned involving the FDW and her employer.



Are maids allowed to drive?
- The Straits Times, 28 July 2012

I understand that foreign construction workers are not allowed to double as drivers in transporting fellow workers and construction materials or equipment to their worksites.

So I was intrigued to read that an Indonesian maid was involved in an accident while she was driving her employer and his friend ('Jailed for punching man in defence of maid'; Thursday).

The relevant agencies and insurers should clarify in the public interest whether foreign domestic workers are allowed to double as family drivers.