Number of Disputes Reported between Employers and Foreign Domestic Workers and Outcome of Cases in Past Five Years

32 Ms Tin Pei Ling asked the Minister for Manpower (a) in the past five years, how many disputes between employers and foreign domestic workers have been reported; (b) of these, how many went to trial; and (c) what are the key observations from these reports.

Mrs Josephine Teo: In the last five years, MOM received an average of 2,600 complaints each year involving Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs). This represents about 1% of the population of MDWs.

Salary and rest time are two common issues raised. For example, there may be a misunderstanding between the MDW and employer over how rest day compensation should be calculated. An MDW may also approach MOM for assistance if she prefers to have more rest time during the day, but has difficulties communicating her request to the employer. The vast majority of such complaints are resolved through MOM’s advice or mediation.

In a small proportion of the complaints, MOM finds indications of employers breaching the law. These involve offences, such as failure to pay salary and illegal deployment. MOM will look into the seriousness of the breaches and determine whether we should issue a stern warning to the employer or proceed to prosecution. In the past five years, MOM prosecuted a total of 83 individuals, or an average of 16 individuals a year.