Migrant Domestic Workers Strongly Encourage to Stay at Home on Rest Days

1. In this period of heightened alert, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is strongly encouraging migrant domestic workers (MDWs) to stay at home during their rest days. They are also to adhere to the prevailing Safe Management Measures (SMM) for Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) that are applicable to everyone.
2. If MDWs need to go out for essential errands, they should keep it short, avoid crowded places and keep to the maximum group size of two persons. They should not intermingle between groups, and should also not share food, drinks or utensils.
3. Employers can play a part by engaging their MDWs to help them understand that the stricter SMMs are important and necessary adjustments during this period. If their MDW decides to stay home on her rest day, employers should not assign work to her. If employers come to a mutual agreement with their MDWs to forgo their rest day, employers must provide compensation in lieu of the rest day.
   
   Advisory and enforcement action
   
   
4. MOM has been keeping MDWs and MDW employers updated on the latest guidelines on rest days through the dissemination of advisories, with the latest advisory sent to employers on 15 May. This includes materials in the MDWs’ native languages to aid understanding.
5. Since 16 May, officers from MOM and other agencies’ have stepped up spot checks at places popular with MDWs. Enforcement action will be taken if they are found to have flouted the SMMs.
6. We seek the understanding and cooperation of MDWs and their employers during this period. These measures are necessary to protect MDWs, their employers’ families and our community and curb the spread of COVID-19.