MAID ABUSE

Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what is the trend of maid abuse cases; (b) has there been a study to determine the causes of maid abuse in our society; and (c) are the present measures to stem such abuse and to safeguard the welfare of foreign domestic workers sufficient.

Dr Lee Boon Yang: The Government takes a serious view of employers who abuse their foreign domestic workers (FDWs). The Penal Code was thus amended in 1998 to enhance penalties committed against a foreign domestic worker (FDW) by 150%. Since then, the number of maid abuse cases has declined significantly. According to the Police, the number of substantiated abuse cases has dropped from 157 cases in 1997 to 41 cases in 2001. This declining trend should also be seen in the context of a rising FDW population. Employers and their household members who are convicted for abusing their FDWs will also be debarred from employing another FDW.

My Ministry has also been focusing our efforts at educating employers on how to better manage and forge a harmonious working relationship with their FDWs. We will continue with our promotional efforts. Ultimately employers should realise that they have a social and moral responsibility to look after the welfare of their FDWs and not impose unrealistic work demands on their FDWs.