It’s draining enough working from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, for typical white collar workers; imagine having to do so from 5.30am to 11pm every day, with only one rest day a month.
I seriously doubt that even the most disciplined–those health geeks waking up at 5am daily–will be able to keep up with this. They must have cheat days occasionally, right?
Unfortunately, this is a reality for many Foreign Domestic Workers, and unlike most of us, their schedules are not something they can suddenly decide not to follow.
On 5 January 2025, the Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (HOME), which advocates for migrant workers’ rights and provides support to them, posted a picture of a schedule that was demanded of a Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) by her Singaporean employers, on their Facebook Page.
According to the image, Ria (*not her actual name), the FDW, has to wake up at 5.30am every day. Her day consists of back-to-back tasks, all the way until 11pm.
HOME also wrote in the caption of the post that Ria only has one rest day per month, during which she could only leave the house at 10am after completing chores and had to return by 4pm to resume chores.
Unsurprisingly, HOME noted that such arrangements have left Ria extremely exhausted.
The post ignited much debate surrounding the rights of FDWs in Singapore. Many commented how unreasonable it was to ask the FDW to carry out simple tasks the employers could easily do on their own, such as bringing them warm water.
Some also brought up how unfair it was that the schedule made no mention of break times for the FDW to have her meals or rest.
Looking Beyond This Incident
This is just one out of many questionable employers in Singapore.
Reader: Indeed.
No, I am not talking about your boss.
Under the post by HOME, many FDWs shared anecdotes of being similarly overworked by previous employers.
According to HOME, being overworked is one of its most commonly received complaints.
Many FDWs are dismissed by their employers when they request shorter working hours, their concerns brushed off with the phrase “You are here to work, not relax!”
In several cases, FDWs are also expected to carry out other caregiving tasks, which are not just physically but mentally draining as well. HOME argues that as such, FDWs are entitled to sufficient rest.
When interviewed by Shin Min, the representative of a maid agency in Singapore acknowledged that FDWs have the right to sufficient sleep and personal time. However, such reports of them being overworked can be difficult to resolve, considering the nature of their jobs and the unclear boundaries between work and personal life, since the FDWs usually live under the same roof as their employers.
He added that it is mandated by law for FDWs to have at least one rest day a week, but they can negotiate with their employers with regards to overtime work.
If dissatisfied with their working conditions, FDWs will be able to request a change in employer.
In response to enquiries by Shin Min, the Centre for domestic Employees (CDE) has said that they believe FDWs and employers should build healthy, respectful relationships, by establishing honest communication between both parties, that will ultimately allow for a fair and sustainable work arrangement.
They also said that they will take appropriate actions to investigate the incident that was reported by HOME.
If you watch at least 10 minutes of brain rot content daily, you must know this:
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