Speech at Alliance for Domestic Employees National Day Celebrations

Speech at Alliance for Domestic Employees National Day Celebrations

Minister of State, Ms Gan Siow Huang, 7 Armenian Street, Bible House

Reverend Ezekiel Tan, President, Hope Initiative Alliance (HIA),

Ms K. Jayaprema, President, Association of Employment Agencies (Singapore) ("AEAS"),

Paster John Liu, Citylight Community Church,

Ms Joyder Ng, Team Lead, Alliance of Domestic Employees Outreach ("ADEO"),

Distinguished guests, our migrant domestic workers, ladies, and gentlemen,

1. Thank you for inviting me to this event, I am delighted to join all of you today to celebrate National Day.

2. The celebration today is very special. It is not just about celebrating among Singaporeans, but celebrating with the extended family of the Singaporeans. Our migrant domestic workers (MDW) provide important support for our households, from caring for our children to supporting our elderly parents, from preparing our meals to maintaining our households. Thank you for all that you do. Just like how our MDWs provide support for our families, we ought to also provide care for them. I would like to highlight a few things that we have done over the years, which I have been personally involved in some of these policy changes to improve the lives and improve protection for our MDWs.

3. While MDWs are entitled to a weekly rest day, we note that many have agreements with their employers to convert rest days into working days with compensation. We understand the desire to do so but rest and social support is as important. To balance the need for some flexibility while ensuring that MDWs get the opportunity to recharge from work and form networks of support outside their employers' households, the Ministry of Manpower legislated from 1 January 2023 that at least one rest day a month cannot be compensated away.

4. MOM also recognises the importance of facilitating good employment relationships between employers and MDWs. For example, employment agencies must conduct at least one post-placement check within three months for newly-placed MDWs to ensure that the MDWs are settling well into their new homes and have good working relationships with their employers.

5. MOM has also partnered with the Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE) to launch three CDEConnect centres across Singapore. All first-time MDWs are required to be interviewed by CDE at one of these centres, twice in their first year of arrival. We have seen some good results. I have personally seen how these interviews have helped to surface adjustment issues and transition support that MDWs require.

6. We have also expanded the number of touchpoints for MDWs to seek assistance or receive important information from MOM. For example, MOM has enhanced the SGWorkPass app to be available in several native languages, including Bahasa Indonesia, Burmese and Tagalog for MDWs to support their stay and employment in Singapore. MDWs who need help or advice can access MOM's or Police's helplines, or an NGO contact through the app.

7. As many MDWs are familiar with and have used the WhatsApp app, we launched a dedicated MOM WhatsApp channel for MDWs in January this year to provide MDWs easier access to information via a 24/7 infobot and to receive timely push notifications on important MOM messages in multiple languages. If you are not on this WhatsApp channel yet, please do so as soon as you can.

8. We also educate MDWs on how to manage their own stress and communicate effectively with their employers at the mandatory Settling-In Programme (SIP). They are also educated on their rights and channels to seek help. Additionally, MOM has launched the Self-Care Journal in July 2023 to empower our MDWs to care for their own mental well-being and guide them to build positive relationships with their employers. We also have the MDW 'Care Sisters', who are our "eyes and ears" on the ground, to help us reach out to MDWs who might be in distress and help to point them to channels that they can get help from.

9. We know that many of our employers also have a big part to play in the well-being of our MDWs. This is why first-time employers are required to attend the Employers' Orientation Programme, which educates employers on their responsibilities and what to look out for, so that they can have positive relationships and to help their MDWs adjust to the new working environment.

10. Ultimately, it takes many hands to support and care for MDWs. MOM cannot do this alone, and this is why we work with various Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and community partners to ensure that there is a good network of support for our MDWs in Singapore.

11. We are appreciative of the important role that ADEO has played in supporting the MDW community in Singapore. Since the launch of ADEO in Dec 2021, MOM has worked closely with ADEO, HIA, and your network of partners to roll out various initiatives for MDWs.

12. In June this year, ADEO hosted an inaugural Sports Friendly Match at the Kranji Recreation Centre for MDWs, with the support of MOM, AEAS, and other partners. Besides participating in games like Captain's Ball, participants also learnt stress management techniques from MOM volunteers. This event both provided recreational fun and fostered a sense of community among MDWs.

13. ADEO has also organised monthly gatherings for MDWs, such as visits to Gardens by the Bay and other attractions in Singapore. Our MDWs are not just working in Singapore but also enjoying themselves, learning about Singapore's culture and being tourists occasionally.

14. I commend ADEO for their tireless efforts in supporting our MDWs. Let me once again extend my appreciation to all our partners, and most of all our MDWs. Thank you for being part of the Singapore family and Happy National Day!