Speech at Association of Employment Agencies (Singapore) 21st Annual MDW and MDW Employer of the Year Awards
Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Manpower, Mr Shawn Huang, Amara Singapore at Tanjong Pagar
Ms K Jayaprema, President of the Association of Employment Agencies (Singapore),
Excellencies and dignitaries from the various embassies,
Friends from Non-Governmental Organisations and the recruitment industry,
Migrant Domestic Workers and their Employers,
Ladies and gentlemen.
1. A very happy Lunar New Year to everyone! I thank AEA(S) for inviting me to your Lo-Hei Lunch and the annual awards ceremony today. It is truly a joy to gather and recognise the outstanding contributions of our migrant domestic workers and their employers.
2. Today, we celebrate not just individual achievements, but bonds of care that transform a working relationship into a meaningful partnership, making our migrant domestic workers a vital part of Singapore’s fabric.
Celebrating Meaningful MDW-Employer Relationships
3. Our award recipients today show us what can be achieved when we approach these relationships with open hearts and minds. These inspiring stories remind us that when trust is at the heart of a relationship, it grows beyond a working arrangement into a genuine bond that enriches our lives and brings our community closer together.
4. Take Siti Muliatun, who has been with the same family for 32 years, a journey that has spanned three generations. When Siti first started working, she and her employer, Ms Angy Neo, faced a significant language barrier. Instead of letting this gap divide them, they chose to bridge it by learning from each other. The family learnt Bahasa Indonesia and Bahasa Melayu from Siti, while she mastered English and Mandarin. This mutual effort grew into a bond so deep that Siti is no longer just a “helper”. She is “uti”, or grandmother, to the grandchildren. Her dedication extended beyond her own household, training another domestic worker to care for her employer’s father-in-law after a fall. Siti’s story shows how strong relationships create ripple effects of care throughout the community.
5. Similarly inspiring is Lasmitri’s journey. Having served the same family for 23 years, she now serves as the primary caregiver to a 96-year-old elderly family member, where she has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to her role. During her rest days, she chose to attend training courses, from basic caregiving skills to specialised programmes in dementia and diabetes management. Her dedication to learning and professional development has enabled her to take on complex medical responsibilities, including performing nightly intermittent urinary catheterisation after learning the procedure from hospital nurses. In addition to caregiving, Lasmitri thoughtfully manages various aspects of the household, including meal preparation that caters to elderly dietary requirements. Her story exemplifies how investing in ongoing professional development and mutual respect can elevate the traditional role of a domestic worker into a valued, skilled healthcare partner at home.
The role of Employment Agencies and other partners in the ecosystem of support
6. Success stories like Siti and Lasmitri are made possible through an enabling ecosystem. Behind every strong MDW-employer relationship is often an employment agency, or EA, working quietly in the background. Beyond carefully matching MDWs to households based on needs, skills and preferences, our EAs also guide employers on their responsibilities, prepare MDWs for life and work in Singapore, and step in early when challenges arise. They play a vital role in this ecosystem of support as relationship builders, cultural bridges and problem solvers for both employers and MDWs.
7. As the Trade Association for Employment Agencies, AEA(S) plays a vital role in uplifting the capabilities of our EAs so that they can serve employers and support MDWs better. A good example is how AEA(S) partnered with MOM to pilot the CONNECT Workshop in 2024. Frequent Change employers are paired with an AEA(S) consultant to understand their circumstances and needs, and they and are given tailored recommendations to help them better communicate their hiring needs to EAs and prospective MDWs. By helping these employers identify the root causes of their frequent MDW changes, employers are better guided towards making more informed and lasting hiring decisions.
8. Beyond the workplace, I would also like to commend AEA(S) for their initiative in establishing the AEA(S) Fun Club. Since 2023, this dedicated space provides MDWs with a safe and welcoming environment to rest, recharge, and connect meaningfully with others during their time off. Through mental wellness programmes and creative workshops, the Fun Club demonstrates AEA(S)'s commitment to supporting the holistic well-being of MDWs. Such initiatives are essential for helping our MDWs develop friendships, network and their own community support.
9. Beyond the EAs and AEA(S), I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our MDW NGOs and community partners for their support in providing our MDWs with recreational activities and training opportunities on their rest days. This group of NGOs are our silent heroes. They work quietly in the background, they lead in the front to trailblaze and pilot programmes, and they strive for better workplaces, lifestyles and outcomes for both employers and employees.
Looking Ahead
10. As we welcome the Year of the Horse, let us continue to build on these strong foundations. As Singapore ages, our households will continue to have significant and diverse caregiving needs. We are committed to strengthening the ecosystem of support by working closely with our partners, from employment agencies, NGOs, employers and migrant domestic workers themselves, to ensure that everyone is well supported.
11. Together, we can ensure that Singapore remains a place where all of us can build a stronger future. May the Year of the Horse bring energy, progress, and continued success to all our partnerships and relationships. 祝大家在马年成功，马上顺顺利利，国泰民安！ Thank you.