Employment Agencies Industry Averages for Foreign Domestic Worker Retention and Transfer Rates from 2015 to 2017
Ministry of ManpowerSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns foreign domestic worker (FDW) retention and transfer rates, with Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asking for industry averages and improvement measures. Minister for Manpower Lim Swee Say reported that the average retention rate stabilized at 50% since 2015, while transfer rates remained below 1.5%. To enhance standards, the Ministry uses an online EA Directory and Customer Rating System to facilitate informed choices, though physical display of rates is not required. Minister for Manpower Lim Swee Say also highlighted the Advanced Placement Scheme pilot, which uses face-to-face interviews to improve matching for caregiving needs. This initiative has seen positive feedback, with most workers remaining with their first employer due to better alignment of expectations and needs.
Transcript
18 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Manpower (a) for each year over the past three years, what are the employment agencies' industry averages for the foreign domestic worker (FDW) retention rate and transfer rate respectively; (b) what steps is the Ministry taking to improve these rates; and (c) whether it will require employment agencies to prominently display their FDW retention rate and transfer rate at their premises.
Mr Lim Swee Say: The average retention rate for foreign domestic workers (FDWs) placed by employment agencies (EAs) has been stable for the last three years at around 50%, an improvement from about 40% in 2013. The average FDW transfer rate has been low, below 1.5% since 2013.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has been taking steps to improve the professionalism and service standards of the EA industry. Since last year, employers' ratings of EAs' services have been systematically captured by the EA Customer Rating System. EAs are thus incentivised to ensure better matching between FDWs and prospective employers to improve the retention and transfer rates.
The customer ratings of EAs are made available online on MOM's website under the EA Directory. Together with other information, such as placement volume, retention and transfer rates, the EA Directory helps employers make an informed choice on which EA to engage. The EA Directory is updated weekly and enables employers to make comparisons. As it is working well, we have no plans to require EAs to physically display such information at their premises.
We also introduced the Advanced Placement Scheme (APS) pilot in August last year. Under the scheme, employers with caregiving needs are able to interview prospective FDWs face to face. Feedback has been positive as the face-to-face interviews have helped both parties better understand each other's needs and expectations. The majority of FDWs placed under APS are still with their first employer.