The Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE) welcomes the move by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to have Cambodia as the 13th source country for foreign domestic workers (FDWs) to help ease the demand for FDWs here. Prior to the move, CDE has conducted overseas study trips to Cambodia to meet with related Government agencies, employment agencies and other non-governmental organisations to better understand the situation in Cambodia. CDE acknowledges that there will be teething issues for both employers and FDWs, especially in the initial stages and have highlighted the potential challenges like language barrier and differing skills certification levels to our Cambodian counterparts.
While we understand that our Cambodian counterparts have embarked on an English training programme for their FDWs, CDE urges Singapore’s employment agencies to take greater responsibility in ensuring that their FDWs are equipped with basic English literacy skills. To help bridge the language barrier, CDE is producing a Handy Guide series containing frequently used phrases in English, with translations in the vernacular, to aid communication between employers and FDWs during the initial employment period.
CDE also calls for the skills training provided at source countries to be of a certain standard to meet the expectations and needs of both the employers and FDWs. CDE hopes that both the Cambodian and Singaporean Government can consider co-creating training courses to equip Cambodian FDWs with the necessary and relevant skillsets required.
CDE acknowledges that there have been cases of underage FDWs from various source countries who were lured to this trade by the potential of earning more money overseas. As it is illegal to bring in underage FDWs, we urge employment agencies to play a more proactive role in ensuring that their Cambodian counterparts are aware of the legal consequences of non-compliance. CDE also hopes that both Governments can work together to ensure that the recruitment of FDWs are done through legal means.
In line with CDE’s proactive and upstream approach to tackle FDW employment-related matters to create a win-win situation for both employers and FDWs, in addition to advocating for cost transparency and fair employment, CDE is producing a pre-departure video that will educate FDWs about their rights in Singapore. The video will be played in both the source country and in Singapore by local employment agencies. It will highlight the contact details of the relevant support groups and provide them with information on various avenues of help.
Mr Yeo Guat Kwang
Chairman of the Centre for Domestic Employees
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