So\u2026 what constitutes illegal deployment?<\/h2>\n
Well, it is illegal deployment if you allow your helper to perform household chores at another home. In reality, more often than not, the lines are blurred.<\/p>\n
Under current regulations<\/a>, FDWs can be deployed with either children or elderly persons to the homes of close family members of their employers in the day so they can continue to provide care to their charges while their employers are at work. Yes, this is allowed as long as FDWs accept the arrangements. They must also receive enough food and rest while they are there. But wait, do you know that they are not allowed to perform household chores<\/em> in the homes of the family members?<\/p>\n Apparently many employers are \u201cnot aware\u201d. FDWs ordered to clean more than one home rarely blow the whistle<\/a> on their employers for fear of \u201ccreating trouble\u201d and potential repercussions.<\/p>\n Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) like the Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Training (FAST)<\/a> and the Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE)<\/a> deal with countless<\/em> complaints of illegal deployment from FDWs where they claimed to have been illegally deployed to work at multiple households or made to perform non-domestic chores! Other concerns that these organisations assist FDWs with? Non-payment \/ short payment of salary. The CDE is a centre set up to bolster support for distressed workers. They offer employment-related advice, educate them on their rights and responsibilities, and engage them with meaningful activities. Their core work revolves around assisting FDWs \u2013 in all possible ways.<\/p>\n CDE\u2019s Executive Director, Mr Shamsul Kamar<\/a> shared his view with Shin Min Daily News recently on how employers will stand to lose more if their FDWs are overworked or gets injured. He also encouraged employers and FDWs who are unsure about the employment rules to reach out to CDE at the 24-hour helpline 1800 2255 233 for advice.<\/p>\n There needs to be clear demarcation of what are household chores, and what are non-domestic chores.<\/p>\n \u201cCan my helper clean the windows while they are at Ah Ma\u2019s house with my child?” “Can she mop the floor there?\u201d<\/p>\n The boundaries between what chores are permitted and what aren\u2019t are often blurred.<\/p>\nNow, where can our domestic helpers get help? Who can they turn to?<\/h2>\n
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