2006 February
'Dignity Overdue' is Out
New book about foreign domestic workers and TWC2 published.
'Dignity Overdue': these words were used by The Working Committee 2 (TWC2) to summarise the purpose of its 2003 campaign on the issue of foreign domestic workers in Singapore. They are now the title of the new book that deals with the position of foreign domestic workers here and tells the story of TWC2’s campaign.
'Dignity Overdue' is divided into three sections. The first provides an overall view of the issue of foreign domestic workers in Singapore. This section incorporates many of the results of the research undertaken by the specialised groups of volunteers in 2002-2003. Every effort has been made to update it, where necessary.
The second section outlines TWC2's 2003 campaign, describing the challenges faced by the new civil society group, and the different ways in which it acted to promote its goals. It may nudge the memories of the 2003 veterans, while, for others, it is hoped that this section will provide not just a record of events, but a useful reference point when issues similar to those tackled by TWC2 three years ago come up again.
A brief third section looks beyond the end of the 2003 campaign and brings the story up to date with the foundation of Transient Workers Count Too. There are five appendices, including a short collection of comments and letters that offer different perspectives on the themes of the book, and the text of the bill drafted in 2003 and not previously made public.
John Gee and Elaine Ho deliberately chose to describe themselves as the editors of this book, rather than the authors, in recognition of the work done by others that was incorporated into ‘Dignity Overdue’. They consider that the book was the product of many people's contributions, some of whom are recognised in the book, but many of whom remain anonymous. They are grateful to all of these individuals.
'Dignity Overdue' was launched at a small reception held at Select Books on 18th February. Braema Mathi, TWC2 President and formerly chair of The Working Committee 2, spoke briefly, followed by John Gee. Regrettably, Elaine Ho could not be there, but members of her family came along. Veterans including Constance Singam, Dana Lam and Brenda Yeo were there too.
About the Editors:
John Gee
John Gee came to Singapore from Britain at the beginning of 1999 to join his Singaporean fiancee. He was an early member of The Working Committee 2 and is now the vice president of Transient Workers Count Too. He has handled much of TWC2's media liaison work.
Elaine Ho
Elaine is Singaporean. She is currently completing her doctorate degree at the Department of Geography, University College London. Her doctoral thesis examines the relevance of national citizenship to skilled transnational migrants. She has also assisted in research on low-paid labour migration for the National University of Singapore and the Asian MetaCentre.
Elaine was a member of The Working Committee 2 from 2002-2003. She participated in the research work contributing to the advocacy goals of TWC2 and assisted in coordinating the activities of the group. Elaine has maintained an ongoing interest in the issues of low-paid migrant labour since leaving Singapore for further studies in 2003. She took part in the London-wide Living Wage campaign for low-paid migrant workers during summer 2005.
New book about foreign domestic workers and TWC2 published.
'Dignity Overdue': these words were used by The Working Committee 2 (TWC2) to summarise the purpose of its 2003 campaign on the issue of foreign domestic workers in Singapore. They are now the title of the new book that deals with the position of foreign domestic workers here and tells the story of TWC2’s campaign.
'Dignity Overdue' is divided into three sections. The first provides an overall view of the issue of foreign domestic workers in Singapore. This section incorporates many of the results of the research undertaken by the specialised groups of volunteers in 2002-2003. Every effort has been made to update it, where necessary.
The second section outlines TWC2's 2003 campaign, describing the challenges faced by the new civil society group, and the different ways in which it acted to promote its goals. It may nudge the memories of the 2003 veterans, while, for others, it is hoped that this section will provide not just a record of events, but a useful reference point when issues similar to those tackled by TWC2 three years ago come up again.
A brief third section looks beyond the end of the 2003 campaign and brings the story up to date with the foundation of Transient Workers Count Too. There are five appendices, including a short collection of comments and letters that offer different perspectives on the themes of the book, and the text of the bill drafted in 2003 and not previously made public.
John Gee and Elaine Ho deliberately chose to describe themselves as the editors of this book, rather than the authors, in recognition of the work done by others that was incorporated into ‘Dignity Overdue’. They consider that the book was the product of many people's contributions, some of whom are recognised in the book, but many of whom remain anonymous. They are grateful to all of these individuals.
'Dignity Overdue' was launched at a small reception held at Select Books on 18th February. Braema Mathi, TWC2 President and formerly chair of The Working Committee 2, spoke briefly, followed by John Gee. Regrettably, Elaine Ho could not be there, but members of her family came along. Veterans including Constance Singam, Dana Lam and Brenda Yeo were there too.
About the Editors:
John Gee
John Gee came to Singapore from Britain at the beginning of 1999 to join his Singaporean fiancee. He was an early member of The Working Committee 2 and is now the vice president of Transient Workers Count Too. He has handled much of TWC2's media liaison work.
Elaine Ho
Elaine is Singaporean. She is currently completing her doctorate degree at the Department of Geography, University College London. Her doctoral thesis examines the relevance of national citizenship to skilled transnational migrants. She has also assisted in research on low-paid labour migration for the National University of Singapore and the Asian MetaCentre.
Elaine was a member of The Working Committee 2 from 2002-2003. She participated in the research work contributing to the advocacy goals of TWC2 and assisted in coordinating the activities of the group. Elaine has maintained an ongoing interest in the issues of low-paid migrant labour since leaving Singapore for further studies in 2003. She took part in the London-wide Living Wage campaign for low-paid migrant workers during summer 2005.
More Effective Approach...
Ngu Mei Mei was the first employer to be convicted of jeopardising her domestic worker's life by placing her in danger. She was sentenced to serve two weeks in prison.
Yanti, a 22 year old, had only been in her employment for 11 days when she fell to her death from an eighth floor apartment while hanging out washing. This happened two years ago.
During the trial, Ngu's lawyer, Wong Soo Chih argued that, although in law she was Yanti's employer, in reality, it was her mother-in-law who supervised the domestic worker, and Ngu should therefore be treated leniently and only be fined. A statutory declaration from Khoo Siew Neo, the 64-year old mother-in-law, confirmed that she had ordered Yanti onto a ledge to hang out laundry, over the protests of her son and daughter-in-law. (For details, see 'Housewife who ordered maid to hang laundry from ledge jailed', Elena Chong, 'Straits Times', 8th February 2006)
Many readers of this story must have felt sorry for Ngu Mei Mei, considering that she was paying the price for the actions of an elderly member of the household to whom she felt she had to defer.
The Ministry of Manpower introduced a mandatory half-day orientation course for new employers of domestic workers from 1st April 2004. The attendees are meant to learn some of the dos and don'ts of being domestic worker employers. Asked for her comments at the time, Braema Mathi of TWC2 welcomed the move, but pointed out that the individual who employs a worker is not necessarily the family member who has most contact with her. She said that it would be beneficial to try to include those who have the most dealings with the family domestic worker in the orientation course.
Unfortunately, the comments were not reported at the time. The facts of this case show that the point made is a strong one; it will be raised again.
Ngu Mei Mei was the first employer to be convicted of jeopardising her domestic worker's life by placing her in danger. She was sentenced to serve two weeks in prison.
Yanti, a 22 year old, had only been in her employment for 11 days when she fell to her death from an eighth floor apartment while hanging out washing. This happened two years ago.
During the trial, Ngu's lawyer, Wong Soo Chih argued that, although in law she was Yanti's employer, in reality, it was her mother-in-law who supervised the domestic worker, and Ngu should therefore be treated leniently and only be fined. A statutory declaration from Khoo Siew Neo, the 64-year old mother-in-law, confirmed that she had ordered Yanti onto a ledge to hang out laundry, over the protests of her son and daughter-in-law. (For details, see 'Housewife who ordered maid to hang laundry from ledge jailed', Elena Chong, 'Straits Times', 8th February 2006)
Many readers of this story must have felt sorry for Ngu Mei Mei, considering that she was paying the price for the actions of an elderly member of the household to whom she felt she had to defer.
The Ministry of Manpower introduced a mandatory half-day orientation course for new employers of domestic workers from 1st April 2004. The attendees are meant to learn some of the dos and don'ts of being domestic worker employers. Asked for her comments at the time, Braema Mathi of TWC2 welcomed the move, but pointed out that the individual who employs a worker is not necessarily the family member who has most contact with her. She said that it would be beneficial to try to include those who have the most dealings with the family domestic worker in the orientation course.
Unfortunately, the comments were not reported at the time. The facts of this case show that the point made is a strong one; it will be raised again.