False Allegations of Employer Abuse Made by Migrant Domestic Workers and Applicable Penalties

49 Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for Manpower in the past two years, in cases where migrant domestic workers (MDWs) sought employment transfers citing abuse by their employers (a) how many of these allegations turned out to be unfounded; (b) how were the MDWs penalised for provision of false statements and fabrication of evidence; (c) what losses did the employers incur; and (d) whether the Ministry will consider reviewing the sentencing framework to make it more equitable for employers who have been genuinely wronged.

Dr Tan See Leng: All reports of Migrant Domestic Worker (MDW) abuse are referred to and investigated by the Police. From 2019 to 2020, an average of 300 reports of MDW abuse by employers or household members of the employers were made to the Police each year.

Seventeen MDWs were found to have made false allegations against their employers and were issued warning by the Police. Thirteen of the MDWs were blacklisted and banned from working in Singapore. The remaining four cases are pending review of the case facts from Police’s investigation.

SPF and MOM take a serious view on abuse allegations made by MDWs. Therefore, all complaints and claims are investigated thoroughly and fairly to determine if the allegations are substantiated. MDWs who were found to have provided false information may be punished upon conviction to a fine, up to two years’ imprisonment, or both. Convicted MDWs will also be repatriated and banned from employment in Singapore.