Speech By Dr Ng Eng Hen Minister Of State (Education And Manpower) At The Awards Ceremony For The Casetrust Accreditattion Scheme

Mr Yeo Guat Kwang
(President, CASE President)

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning,

 I am delighted to join you this morning in your award presentation ceremony.

2 MOM had announced in May this year that all employment agents dealing in the placement of foreign domestic workers would have to be accredited within two years.  Accreditation would ensure higher overall standards of service delivery and a greater level of professionalism within the industry.  Employers of foreign domestic workers too would be able to make better-informed decisions when selecting an employment agent.

3 It is timely for us now to put in place an accreditation scheme for employment agents dealing in the placement of foreign domestic workers. There are more than 140,000 foreign domestic workers in Singapore today, more than twice the population ten years ago.  In tandem with the growing foreign domestic worker population, the number of maid agencies have also mushroomed to more than 700.  Unfortunately, complaints against employment agents about unethical and unprofessional service have also gone up over the last few years.  In fact the number of complaints MOM received has gone up by 50% over the last four years.   Employment agents play an integral role in recruiting, managing as well as ensuring the well-being of foreign domestic workers after they have been placed with their employers. It is therefore important for us to ensure that employment agents conduct themselves ethically and professionally.

4 I would like to commend and congratulate the 14 employment agents who have successfully been accredited by CASE.  By being accredited, you have demonstrated to your customers, i.e. the employers of foreign domestic workers and the foreign domestic workers themselves, that you are committed to upgrading your services.

5 I hope that other employment agents will follow your lead to sign up for accreditation. In so doing, you will be able to differentiate yourselves in this competitive industry.  MOM has earlier announced that we would give employment agents two years to be accredited.  This means that by June 2004, employment agents who renew their license would need to show that they have been accredited. 
 
6 Currently, employment agents are issued with a license valid for one year.  MOM will now issue a three-year license to employment agents who have been successfully accredited. In addition, both MOM and CASE will help to publicise the names of accredited employment agents in their website and other public communications material. 

7 I hope that the employment agency industry will continue take active steps to upgrade its professional standards.   Accreditation is but an important first step in this direction.  On our part, MOM will also continue to work closely with industry players to move the process forward.  

8 Thank you.