FOREIGN DOMESTIC WORKERS

FOREIGN DOMESTIC WORKERS

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(Review of security bond conditions): **

31.

Mr Zaqy Mohamad asked the Acting Minister for Manpower whether his Ministry plans to review the conditions of the security bond for employers of foreign domestic workers (FDW), particularly conditions where the employer is liable for individual acts such as the FDW running away or becoming pregnant.

Mr Gan Kim Yong: The imposition of the security bond is to encourage employers to comply with his obligations as part of the condition of issuing the work permit to his foreign domestic worker (FDW). These obligations include upkeep, maintenance and repatriation of their FDWs. The employers are also aware of these security bond conditions and the instances of forfeiture. The conditions are clearly specified in the security bond, which employers must purchase prior to bringing in the FDW. The work permit conditions for FDW employers are also made available to them during the FDW application stage and printed in the employers’ handbook.

The number of occasions where the security bond is forfeited is actually very low. For example, in 2007, there were only 60 cases where the security bond was forfeited as a result of the foreign domestic worker leaving the employer’s home. We have not forfeited any security bond just because the FDW has become pregnant.

MOM does not forfeit the security bond lightly, but does so only as a last resort. For example, if an FDW leaves the employer’s home, the employer is given three months to locate their FDW and repatriate them. Employers are given a further period of three months after the forfeiture of the security bond to locate their FDWs. MOM will consider refunding the security deposits if the FDW is found and repatriated within this period.

In cases where it is clear that the FDW has run away because she has committed an offence, such as stealing from the employer, MOM will also not forfeit the security bond.

The security bond system has served us well. It ensures that the FDWs’ well-being is taken care of and we do not see widespread overstaying of foreign workers after their work permits have expired. At the same time, MOM has been careful in enforcing forfeiture of the security bond. As the employment landscape and practices change over time, MOM will review from time to time how the security bond system could be refined to better serve its purpose.