KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

Indonesia FDWs have been quite problematic lately.
1) in a short 5 months, 2012 already recorded 9 fell while 'working'. They should be trained by agencies and training centres but fault on employers if they performed task unsafe or employers failed to remind/supervise them. Sound weird that agencies, training centres, HDB and MOM completely out of picture. Fair?

2) demand S$450 (exclude live-in costs. In total, to hire a FDW cost $1300 to 1600/month, will be more cos heard agency fee may become 4 digit) as starting pay, don't need to clean windows, hang dangerous bamboo laundry = lesser chores, employers end up doing for them. Their English not as good as filipino, mostly eat halal food, requires certain level of understanding from employers but want to be paid more, sounds reasonable?

3) Stricter rules to bring in Indonesian maids
By Saifulbahri Ismail, 30 May 2012 Channel News Asia

Maid agencies in Singapore will now have to apply online for employment contracts for Indonesian foreign domestic workers with the country's embassy.

The change takes effect on Wednesday.
The new online system will help the embassy compile data and track the domestic workers from the time they leave Indonesia for Singapore.

The Indonesian embassy held a briefing for employment agencies on Wednesday to explain the changes.

In the past, the embassy said it does not have full information of all its domestic workers in Singapore.

This is because the data was just shared between employment agencies in Indonesia and Singapore.

Now, both Indonesia and Singapore employment agencies must key in the necessary data into the online system.

The embassy said having such information will help it safeguard the welfare of its citizens.

Sukmo Yuwono, counsellor, Indonesian Embassy in Singapore, said: "Based on all that data, I'm very confident it will give protection in the beginning when the Indonesian domestic helper has problems in Singapore.

"Because if I have a call from the police, for example, if I don't have any data, I have to find out by myself. I need to search through Indonesia, search all the agencies... but if they are already keyed in to our system, I will just find out from the system."

Employment agencies said the online process may be more tedious.

This is because even after the online process, agencies have to print out the Employment Contract and submit it to the embassy for endorsement. Agencies then need to send the Employment Contract to their counterparts in Indonesia.

This new system is also expected to put a stop to the practice of some employers who hire maids directly from Indonesia.

K Jayaprema, president, Association of Employment Agencies, said: "So we are looking at more business for the local employment agencies because it looks like only the accredited agencies with the Indonesian embassy will be able to download the employment contract.

"So definitely employers have to go to a local agency to help them with this contract. And it's not going to just stop with new girls coming in, I think it's also for renewal, also for the transfer of girls."

The Indonesian government said it wants to stop sending domestic workers abroad as of 2017. It wants to provide comprehensive training so that workers are ready to enter more competitive industries. Stricter requirements may also be applied by 2017.

"But it's something we have to wait and see how effective this is going to be because definitely, they see anybody working overseas as a better source of income. So unless they are able to earn equally good salaries, I don't think the ban is going to work," said K Jayaprema, president, Association of Employment Agencies.

The Indonesian government had previously imposed a moratorium on sending migrant workers to Saudi Arabia due to the implementation of the death penalty on a number of Indonesian workers there.

So troublesome to hire Indonesians, more money to come out from employer's pocket... do you think we should stop being easy targets ....to be bullied? Malaysia and Saudi paid lesser for FDWs and their living condition not as good as Spore .... are Spore employers too soft? How to make our govt protect us?

Should we stay clear from hiring Indonesians... at least a year?

sad citizen wrote: Should we stay clear from hiring Indonesians... at least a year?

Agree.

Unless employers are willing to do something, they will continue to be bullied.

The agents are "crying" about more work and how difficult to get on line etc because of the new regulation. Before long the "crying" will be converted to demanding more agency fees because of this.

The we will have the daft employers who will say: What can we do?...We have no choice!...We urgently need a maid...The govt is not helping us...We are at the mercy of the agencies....and plenty more if you bother to read in this forum.

They will complain and will do nothing unlike you who at least suggest what employers can do to stop agencies from taking advantage of employers.

I respect you for this.

Now is to put it to a test and see how many will respond to your post and if there are better ideas and suggestions put a stop to unfairness that employers have suffered for so long.

It will be interesting to see what the responses (if any) are going to be.

Malaysia has maids from Laos and Cambodia too.
But not Singapore.

I do not agreee on adding many different nationalities like Laos or Cambodia. WE have enough problems handling FT from China, Philippines and what not. Laos and Cambodia being vastly different from Singapore will have the same issues.

In Malaysia, where the country is big, it is not that easy for them to mingle and get influence and therefore create unhappiness with Singaporeans. They will not add on to the crowd on trains and shopping malls. Whereas with a small country like us, we will feel the impact alot faster.

I agree with Sad citizen. We should stop bringing in Indonesian help. In fact we should beong reliant on foreign help. No point saying that we do not want to be taken for ride and still go around looking for other foreigners for help.

Some people really need FDWs due to shift work, long hours or no suitable/nearby places to place their loved ones, it is not easy for them to turn to childcare/eldercare centres.

I think we need more source countries so that Indonesians get the message they are not the only country we can turn to. MOM should give us more choices and not keep out, allow source country to bully us.

I don't like to have crowded trains and malls but I would still prefer a foreigner properly trained by agency and SIP, can really help me, let me work with peace. She can have weekly off days as per what our govt has fought for them. It is ok for me to cook, do some cleaning and look after my own children ... at most just bring them outing, don't even need to cook and see a dirty & oily house. Of cos, will be wonderful if FDW goes off day, no liabilities, don't bring home bad attitude due to influence or cause unexpected $$ to burn my pocket.

If there's a cheap boarding house for her to stay over the weekends, I would like my weekend to be without stranger, no responsiibilities.... temporary forget my neck has been tied by MOM.

FDW employers need to stand up together and protect our interest. We must ensure we paid and received quality service from agency and FDWs.

Every time we post on forum or email to MOM, did it create a wave? I guess most just vent on forum but didn't really feedback to PAP.

We need to send email, post on Facebook, whatever available to let the decision makers know. We cannot continue to give in and be easy to prey on.

Sending to MOM is not enough, email should also goes to your MP and
[email protected]
Minister for Manpower [email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

btw, not long ago MOM has a facebook pg, MOS Tan talking about Indonesian fell to death and commented employer are fully responsible for FDW's safety. That 'thread' has been deleted due to some posters, dare to highlight the truth. I believe MOM will continue to cover all our grievances as long as we obediently pay agencies and levy.... showed we can manage.... a bit of noise and grumbles but eventally, we'll accept what's thrown to us. Sporeans are guai guai people, we don't go on strike or boycott as it is illegal. Not many want to stand in the way of PAP and its govt bodies.... like egg hitting stone.

I enquired about indon maid for brother's wife who is expecting.
Presently, there are no new bio data bcos their govt are limiting their women out to be maids. Maid will be placed at mum's place as both are working.
We haven't had maid for the past 6 years after sending off last filipino maid...imagine our shock when we heard the agent fee is so ex now...and there are no new maids, not even for transfer.
Not keen to have Filipino. Didn't hear good reviews about myanmar ones either.

With a baby, it's not possible to have part-time as there are many chores especially with newborn. Wonder if govt can consider bringing in domestic workers from other countries. They can have off days, but what they do during their days off shouldn't be parked under employers' responsibility...for eg pregnancy and affairs and inviting the lovers into the house.

janet_lee88 wrote:I enquired about indon maid for brother's wife who is expecting.
Presently, there are no new bio data bcos their govt are limiting their women out to be maids. Maid will be placed at mum's place as both are working.
We haven't had maid for the past 6 years after sending off last filipino maid...imagine our shock when we heard the agent fee is so ex now...and there are no new maids, not even for transfer.
Not keen to have Filipino. Didn't hear good reviews about myanmar ones either.

With a baby, it's not possible to have part-time as there are many chores especially with newborn. Wonder if govt can consider bringing in domestic workers from other countries. They can have off days, but what they do during their days off shouldn't be parked under employers' responsibility...for eg pregnancy and affairs and inviting the lovers into the house.

The topic here is not to hire Indonesian maids BUT you go look for them???
Did not read the beginning or just could not care?

Food for thought??

sad citizen wrote:FDW employers need to stand up together and protect our interest. We must ensure we paid and received quality service from agency and FDWs.

Agree but employers just keep using agencies that do not provided quality maids. Just don't use them and let them go out of business so that the better ones will have more business.

Every time we post on forum or email to MOM, did it create a wave? I guess most just vent on forum but didn't really feedback to PAP.

MOM is PAP! Isn't the minister from PAP?

We need to send email, post on Facebook, whatever available to let the decision makers know. We cannot continue to give in and be easy to prey on.

Sending to MOM is not enough, email should also goes to your MP and
[email protected]
Minister for Manpower [email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

You are right again. But how many employers really do that. Like I said before, thy just complain and make a lot of noise and then meekly accept what is thrust upon them

btw, not long ago MOM has a facebook pg, MOS Tan talking about Indonesian fell to death and commented employer are fully responsible for FDW's safety. That 'thread' has been deleted due to some posters, dare to highlight the truth. I believe MOM will continue to cover all our grievances as long as we obediently pay agencies and levy.... showed we can manage.... a bit of noise and grumbles but eventally, we'll accept what's thrown to us. Sporeans are guai guai people, we don't go on strike or boycott as it is illegal. Not many want to stand in the way of PAP and its govt bodies.... like egg hitting stone.

Did you not read the one on heaping praise on the maids and saying that all mummies should be beholden to the maids. Without the maids you do not even have the opportunity of developing your careers!!.

Maybe what he said is true. Employers are desperate to have maids so they keep their mouths shut.

b2b3m4 wrote: I agree with Sad citizen. We should stop bringing in Indonesian help. In fact we should beong reliant on foreign help. No point saying that we do not want to be taken for ride and still go around looking for other foreigners for help.

Don't think we are in a position to stop bringing in Indonesian maids. The agencies control that. Just don't use them and the agencies will not be that stupid to keep bringing them in.

In this thread you already have one poster looking for an Indonesian maid!! With employers like this, how do you ever get things done? The agencies know it and they are probably laughing at us stupid employers.