BLACKLISTING OF FOREIGN MAIDS

BLACKLISTING OF FOREIGN MAIDS: 10.

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for Manpower (a) what action does his Ministry take when it receives a written request from an employer to blacklist a foreign maid; (b) if a foreign maid is blacklisted, does it include debarment from working in Singapore; and (c) if it does, how long is the debarment.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Manpower (Mr Hawazi Daipi) (for the Minister for Manpower): Sir, all foreign workers, including domestic workers, must agree to abide by the work permit conditions if they choose to work in Singapore . When complaints are received and foreign domestic workers are found to havecontravened the work permit conditions, they are repatriated and debarred from working in Singapore . Appeals to re-enter Singapore are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Mr Chiam See Tong: How long does the Ministry of Manpower normally take to reply to a letter concerning a maid problem?

Mr Hawazi Daipi: Sir, we will try to investigate immediately. But, based on records, most cases are concluded within six weeks.

Mr Chiam See Tong: I can point a case to the Senior Parliamentary Secretary. It is a case where the Ministry of Manpower took one year to reply to a letter. Is he willing to investigate on it and let me know the outcome?

Mr Hawazi Daipi: If Mr Chiam could give me the details of the case, we will investigate andgive him a reply immediately.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Yes, I will let the Senior Parliamentary Secretaryhave the details and I hope to get an answer from him.