Industry sector: domestic
Multiple measures to try to deal with abusive confinement of maids. How well will they work? Are there better, less-costly solutions?
For all the wringing of hands over abuse of domestic workers, one key solution has still not been implemented despite TWC2 proposing it nearly two decades ago.
Baying for blood is easy. Looking unflinchingly at how regulatory policies and priorities contributed to the torture and killing of a domestic worker would be more positive.
The killing of a domestic worker behind closed doors must compel us to reckon with the concept of live-in domestic help. Live-out arrangements have many benefits.
This documentary about human trafficking may be about Kuwait but the specific factors enabling the problem have parallels in Singapore too. Don't be smug.
From 1 January 2021, employers must purchase insurance (at least $10,000) against the risk of the worker developing Covid-19 within 14 days of arrival.
"Tell us about your experiences in Singapore," we asked a group of Indonesian domestic workers. "And about how you cannot go home during Covid-19."
The term "helper" seems to be growing in popularity, but TWC2 disagrees with its use.
Domestic workers have been "advised" to stay in employers' residences during their rest days since the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. No end in sight. What about those who have to live with abusive employers?
At a conference session on upskilling, TWC2 saw the enormity of the challenge for Singapore as we try to raise productivity among migrant workers and fill our future care-giving needs.