INDONESIAN MAIDS IN SINGAPORE (Repatriation)

INDONESIAN MAIDS IN SINGAPORE

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(Repatriation): **

7.

Dr Geh Min asked the Minister for Manpower (a) if the Ministry can give figures or information on how many Indonesian maids who have worked in Singapore are sent to Bintan or Batam instead of their hometowns when they have completed their contracts; and (b) whether agents are required to send maids back to their place of origin or a destination chosen by the maid themselves when they are repatriated.

Dr Ng Eng Hen: Under the work permit conditions, it is the responsibility of employers, not the employment agencies, to repatriate their foreign domestic workers (FDWs) to their home country at the end of their employment in Singapore and to bear the cost of repatriation. Those who fail to do so will have committed an offence under the Employment of Foreign Workers Act and may be fined up to $5,000 or sentenced to a jail term of up to six months or both. Their security bond of $5,000 will also be forfeited.

FDWs are encouraged to seek assistance from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) if employers seek to repatriate them to any destination other then their hometown against their wish. MOM will step in to mediate in such employment disputes.

It is difficult to track the final destination of repatriated FDWs and, as such, the figures requested for are not available.