Disqualification Criteria for Hiring Live-in Migrant Domestic Workers

Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what criteria currently disqualify individuals from hiring migrant domestic workers; and (b) whether individuals with criminal convictions for violent offenses are prohibited from hiring live-in migrant domestic workers.

Dr Tan See Leng: Employers can be debarred from hiring migrant domestic workers (MDWs) if they commit serious offences against an MDW. These include physical or sexual abuse, non-payment of salary, inadequate provision of food or rest and instructing their MDW to perform unsafe tasks. The debarment period varies with the severity of offences committed, and the Ministry of Manpower will assess the suitability of the household to hire MDWs before lifting the debarment. Egregious offenders, such as those who inflict violent harm on their MDWs, will be permanently debarred.