Agencies protest maids protection

Agencies protest maids protection

SINGAPORE (Reuter): Measures implemented by the Philippines to protect foreign domestic workers in Singapore put an unfair financial burden on employers here without requiring adequate commitment from workers, an employment association said yesterday.

Chua Kim Seng, president of the Foreign Maids Employment Agencies Association (FMEAA), said the 150-member group would submit a petition to the Philippines Embassy to protest against the new provisions as well as the group's exclusion from a list of 60 agencies accredited by the embassy.

Chua said the measures, which include requirements that the employer pay for a maid's air ticket to Singapore, allow her to take weekends off and bear her repatriation costs if the contract is terminated by either party, gave employers no protection if a maid decided to withdraw from her contract.

"The FMEAA feels that the cost of the air ticket must be borne by the maid so there's an impetus for her to work here. Otherwise, maids may see this as a holiday camp," Chua told a news conference.