Debated in Parliament on 6 Feb 2013.
Mrs Lina Chiam asked the Acting Minister for Manpower if the Ministry will consider instituting a mandatory psychological test, or other such tests, for domestic workers, to ensure their suitability for work, for their own well-being and their employers.
Madam, the medical examination framework for Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) is in place to safeguard public health interests and the health of the FDWs themselves. FDWs first have to undergo and pass a mandatory medical examination within 14 days after arriving in Singapore, before they are issued with their work permits.
The main purpose of the medical examination is to screen the four types of infectious diseases that are of public health concern. In addition, the examination helps to give a broad indication of the FDW's general fitness for work, including her mental state, at the point of examination. First-time FDWs are also required to attend a Settling-In-Programme to orientate and help them adapt to working and living in Singapore.
Given the different reasons employers have for engaging an FDW, it is impractical to prescribe a comprehensive standard for medical fitness. We would encourage employers with specific concerns to obtain a copy of the completed medical report directly from the examining doctor. Employers are also free to send the FDW for any other suitable tests before commencing with the employment of the FDW.
I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for answering my question. This Parliamentary Question (PQ) has been asked for many years and the answer had been no psychological tests for maids. Since all these years, there have been so many cases – suicide, murder and various other unnecessary things – that happened to the maids and to the employers. We also have got so many elderly people in Singapore and we need maids to look after them. So, I think it is timely for the Government to implement some sort of psychological tests when they come in from other countries to apply for work in Singapore, for their own well-being, as well as the well-being of the employers, so that all of us will have peace of mind. These maids, I do not know where they come from. They may come from very unknown situations.
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Mrs Chiam, you may want to put across your question, please.
Yes. Would the Government consider this request to have some sort of psychological tests for maids coming to Singapore to work? I am sure the employers would not mind paying for this.
I thank the Member for this suggestion. The purpose of the medical examination is to safeguard public health interests. We know that the FDWs work very closely with the employers and with their families. Health is their concern. However, it is best that we limit the medical examination to only the four infectious diseases. Employers can consider working with the employment agencies to require the worker to go for other tests that they think are important. At the same time, they may, if they are willing to pay, send their prospective FDWs for such screening that they deem fit at their own costs.
PAPERCUTS