Impact of Indonesia's Plan to Stop Its Foreign Domestic Workers from Living in Singaporean Employers' Homes

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Manpower in view of Indonesia's plans to supply new foreign domestic workers (FDWs) on the condition that they do not have to live together with the employers (a) how will this position affect the supply of Indonesian FDWs to Singapore; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider abolishing the $5,000 security bond for such live-out FDWs.

Mr Lim Swee Say: The Indonesian authorities have not formally informed MOM of its plans for non-live in FDWs. Our employment agencies have also not reported disruption to the supply of live-in foreign domestic workers (FDWs) from Indonesia. We continue to welcome Indonesian FDWs into Singapore.

The Security Bond (SB) applies to employers of FDWs, as well as foreign workers. It is to ensure that employers and workers comply with Work Permit conditions and is not tied to the live-in requirement. Hence, the issue of abolishing the security bond for non-live in FDWs does not arise.

Apart from Indonesia, there are currently 11 other approved sources of FDWs 1 . MOM will continue to monitor the adequacy of our FDW supply.

Note(s) to Question No(s) 48:

1 The 11 sources are as follows: Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand.