Migrant Domestic Workers Issued Stern Warnings from Law Enforcement Agencies and Impact on Their Future Employment

Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Acting Minister for Manpower for each year from 2021 to 2025 (a) how many migrant domestic workers were issued stern warnings from law enforcement agencies; (b) of these, how many were barred from future employment and how many were permitted to take up new employment; and (c) whether there is an avenue of appeal against such bars and, if not, why not.

Ms Jasmin Lau: Over the past five years, an average of about 430 migrant domestic workers (MDWs) were issued stern warnings from law enforcement agencies each year.

MDWs who have been issued warnings are barred from future employment in Singapore. Employers who wish to retain their MDW may appeal to the Ministry of Manpower, which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Of those issued with warnings over the past five years, about 20% of them continue to be employed as MDWs by their employers.