Proportion of Foreign Domestic Workers with Off-day Stipulated in Contract

Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Manpower (a) how effective has the policy dated 2013 been in terms of the proportion of foreign domestic workers who have an off day stipulated in their contract; and (b) how effective has it been in ensuring that foreign domestic workers actually have a physical, emotional and mental rest from work.

It is a condition of all Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) Work Permits issued or renewed from 2013 that their contracts should provide a weekly rest day or compensation in lieu.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) conducts regular surveys with FDWs. Based on the most recent survey in 2015, the proportion of FDWs reporting at least one rest day a month was 98%, compared to 53% in 2010. The percentage of FDWs with four rest days also increased to 56% from 25% in 2010. These results are consistent with a survey of FDWs conducted by the Centre for Domestic Employees in 2017, where 96% had at least one rest day a month and 60% had four rest days a month.

In MOM's survey in 2015, more than 95% of FDWs indicated that their workload was either just right or they were able to handle more, which suggests that the FDWs are sufficiently well-rested to perform their tasks. At the same time, the incidence of FDW complaints to MOM pertaining to overwork or insufficient rest, remains low.

MOM's next survey in 2019 will provide further updates.