Mandatory Rest Day for Migrant Domestic Worker and Ensuring a 24-Hour period of Uninterrupted Rest

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Manpower when implementing the mandatory rest day for migrant domestic workers at the end of 2022, whether the Ministry intends to define the rest day as a full 24-hour period of uninterrupted rest.

Mr Speaker, MOM had earlier announced our plan to introduce the policy of requiring employers to provide their migrant domestic workers (MDWs) with at least one rest day a month that cannot be compensated away. This is to provide MDWs with opportunities to rest and recharge from work and to form a network of support outside the household.

We do not intend to define the number of hours of uninterrupted rest for MDWs in a given rest day. Different households have different arrangements with their MDWs based on their respective needs. If MOM prescribes a fixed number, it will impose rigidity on both employers and MDWs. What is more important is that the employer and the MDW maintain open communications on their respective needs and come to a mutual agreement on the rest day arrangement.

If MDWs and their employers need help to reach an agreement on the rest day arrangement, they may call MOM’s MDW helpline for advice. They may also seek assistance from a neutral third party, such as their employment agencies, or consider utilising the free dispute resolution services offered by the Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE) and the Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Training (FAST) to arrive at an amicable solution.

The rest day policy will be implemented towards the end of 2022. This is to give existing employers and their MDWs time to adjust to the new policy.

Thank you, Sir, I thank the Minister of State for the reply. Could I just ask how MOM will be monitoring and enforcing this mandatory rest day rule? Also, what action will be taken against employers who do not give their foreign domestic workers this mandatory rest day?

MOM will be communicating to the employment agencies as well as to the employers on the requirement for this mandatory rest day policy. And MDWs, as well as their support network, or the neighbours who are concerned or have observed that MDWs are not being given the mandatory rest day, can highlight this to MOM or associations, such as CDE and FAST, so that assistance can be rendered promptly.

MOM also regularly conducts checks on employers, as well as the migrant domestic workers, to make sure that the migrant domestic workers and the employers are getting along well and the MDWs are getting sufficient rest.