Debated in Parliament on 26 Jul 2021.
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Manpower (a) in each of the last five years, how many complaints have been lodged by migrant domestic workers against their employers for abuse or exploitation; (b) how many have been found, after investigation, to be frivolous and vexatious; and (c) what actions have been taken against workers who make such allegations.
Between 2016 and 2020, an average of 259 reports of Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) abuse were made to the Police each year. The Police investigates all such reports of abuse of MDWs. The Police does not track specifically the number of reports of abuse filed by MDWs which are frivolous or vexatious. MDWs who are found to have lodged false reports of abuse to the Police may be investigated for providing false information to a public servant. If convicted, they may be punished with up to two years’ imprisonment, fine or both.
Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA), employers are required to provide due care to the MDWs working in their households. When a complaint by an MDW is received, MOM will interview the MDW and the employer to establish the facts. This is to ensure fairness to both parties.
MDWs found to have provided false information during investigations may be fined, imprisoned or both. They will also be barred from working in Singapore. Between 2016 and 2020, 14 MDWs were warned, seven prosecuted and both groups were debarred from working in Singapore, for providing false statements to MOM.
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