Lest you’re unaware, most domestic workers in Singapore follow a work schedule that makes the infamous 9-9-6 seem like a pittance in comparison;
6-12-6: 6:00 a.m. to 12 a.m., six days a week.
Truly, one can make a case for them being superhuman in their own right. And the fact that their salary isn’t exactly ‘high-tier’ just makes it all the more amazing.
And yet, that’s perhaps why they take their off days really seriously. After all, this is the only day that they’re allowed to chill, have fun and de-stress after a gruelling week of work.
If we need our weekends to recharge and prep for the new week, domestic workers certainly need their rest day as well.
But not every employer thinks the same way.
Woman Doesn’t Allow FDW to Take MRT or Meet Other People ‘Coz She Claimed to Have the Rights
On Thursday (18 June), Facebook user Bhing Navato took to the social media platform to protest against the plight of local domestic workers, which has been steadily ‘unravelling’ in light of the current circumstances.
According to the post, a fellow domestic worker had sent Navato a screenshot, in hopes of advice.
The screenshot captured the conversation between the domestic worker and her employer, and detailed the latter’s explicit instructions pertaining to the former’s rest day.
Lest you can’t view the screenshot, here’s a rough transcript of the brief conversation between them:
Domestic worker: “Maam, just want to ask about my off? Cos this Sat is my off. Can I go outside?”
Employer: “Yes, you can go out around Stadium for 3-4 hours to eat and buy food. You cannot use MRT or meet other people yet. Employers have the right to control movement of helpers during phase 2. Kindly remember the safe distancing and personal hygiene when you are outside. Also, when you go out please remember the dress code policy which was clearly highlighted to you during interview. If you wish to wear anything specific, then you can change at MRT toilets but you need to come back in decent clothes. Let me know the timing you will be going out and coming back.”
Long story short; the domestic worker had asked for permission to go out on her off day. Her employer, perhaps concerned about the Covid-19 pandemic, specifically requested for her to only hang out outside for a maximum of 4 hours, with no MRT transport or social interactions allowed. The worker will also have to update the employer on the time she leaves the house, and the time she returns home.
Navato then spoke of the plight that domestic workers are now facing.
“This is what happens when the advisories was sent to employers during this covid situation. Since Circuit Breaker, Phase 1 and now Phase 2,” she wrote.
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“Some employers take advantage of the message or use it as a threat. Domestic workers are left in dillema. Given no choice, they will comply to keep their job. Some of them will just give up.”
According to her, some domestic workers were so stressed out by the Circuit Breaker and Phase 1 periods that they ended up crying every night. To them, the “rest day” notion is their only consolation, and even that little entitlement is being taken away from them.
Navato then pleads for the relevant authorities to intervene, and implores them to rectify advisories to salvage domestic workers from their distress.
“I wish the ones who are writing on this MOM advisories for foreign domestic workers will listen to cries of these hidden vulnurable domestic workers. Please take time to talk to us. Do not listen with your eyes. Have some compassion.”
“Because if you are listening with your heart… you will not exclude us in the joy that many locals, expats, spass, epass are feeling right now.
“Domestic workers are human being. We are not robots. We have feelings.”
You can view the full Facebook post down below:
Comments
To date, the post has garnered nearly 400 likes & reactions, as well as 297 shares.
Netizens were generally shocked and sympathetic at the news.
According to the Ministry of Manpower, foreign domestic workers are entitled to a weekly rest day.
Both the worker and employer must mutually agree on which day of the week she should take the rest day.
If the foreign domestic worker agrees to work on her rest day, she must be compensated with one of the following:
- At least one day’s salary, which is considered as an additional payment and should not be counted into the worker’s basic salary.
- A replacement rest day within the same month.
When the nation entered Phase Two of its “Circuit Breaker exit” plan, it was announced that domestic workers will be able to meet up with their friends outside their place of residence.
Each group cannot have more than five people, and they should not gather in public spaces or visit crowded areas like City Plaza, Lucky Plaza and Peninsula Plaza.
Domestic workers are also advised to take their rest days on a weekday, as public spaces will be less crowded.
In other words, they should have the freedom like we do. Because last I know, they’re humans just like us, no?
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