Finding a match can be difficult. No, not the romantic kind. The kind where you find a foreign domestic worker (FDW) whose skillsets fit your needs.
According to the Ministry of Manpower, 2 in 3 FDWs have had their employment contracts terminated prematurely before 2 years was up. As a result. MOM announced on 6 Oct that it will be introducing new measures to increase employer-FDW long term match rates.
Starting from the end of this month, the Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE) and Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Training (FAST) will provide free dispute resolution services. This is an avenue for employers and FDWs to resolve disputes before matters escalate to the stage where the termination of contracts becomes part of the discussion.
Mr Michael Chew, chairman of the mediation sub-committee at FAST, added that Fast has been testing this programme since 2016. All 46 cases they took were resolved without any issue or termination of contracts.
From Oct 2020, more information on FDWs will be made available for employers and employment agencies, allowing employers and employment agencies to see a potential FDW’s previous work experience and how long she was employed. Other important details like their key job scope and reason for leaving their previous employment will also be included.
This information will be extra useful for employers with elderly parents, young children, or family members with special needs in their households.
Employment agencies will also be able to see the profiles of FDWs hired by employers who had changed 5 or more FDWs within a year. This is to facilitate decision-making for employers and allow agencies to properly advise employers.
Employment agencies will have greater responsibility from Oct 2021.
According to MOM’s new guidelines, the agencies will need to refund at least half of the service fee they charge employers if the employment ends within the first 6 months. This measure hopes to ensure agencies take finding suitable FDWs for employers more seriously.
MOM has introduced these measures to help employers find a better match.
However, this benefits not just the employers since premature termination of contracts also affects the FDWs who might have to be sent back to their home countries. This would be expensive for employers who have to pay for the trip back.
As the measures take gradually take effect, both employers and FDWs will be well-supported during employment.
We hope that employers will be able to find the perfect match to meet their requirements.
Featured image adapted from United Channel.
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