Raising Awareness among First-time Migrant Domestic Workers on Legal Consequences of Child and Elder Abuse

19 Miss Rachel Ong asked the Minister for Manpower as part of the Settling-in Programme for first-time migrant domestic workers in Singapore (a) whether a briefing is provided on the legal consequences of criminal acts related to elder and child abuse prior to their deployment; and (b) whether helplines for mental health support is provided.

Dr Tan See Leng: All first-time Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs) are required to attend the Settling-In Programme (SIP) within seven days of their arrival in Singapore, prior to starting work.

At SIP, which is conducted in their native language, MDWs are educated on the legal consequences for committing criminal offences. They are informed that the Court may sentence offenders who abuse vulnerable persons up to twice the amount of punishment to which the offender would otherwise have been liable for that offence.

MDWs are also educated on how to foster a harmonious relationship with their employers and identify and manage stress. They are provided with resources, such as a guidebook on enhancing their mental well-being and helplines from the Ministry of Manpower, non-government and mental health organisations, should they need to seek help.