Editorial:
Little by little, the impact of the economic slowdown that began in the USA just over a year ago has been making itself felt in Singapore and the neighbouring regions.
Could it have an impact on TWC2’s work? Quite possibly.
Unfortunately, in developed countries that face economic difficulties, there are always people who are ready to blame foreigners, regardless of the facts. When there is unemployment, it is tempting to say, ‘If only the 645,000 were not here, there would be enough jobs to go round.’ The fact is that locals are not lining up to do the lowest paid jobs in Singapore, and the presence of migrant workers in these sectors provides support to Singapore’s economy as a whole, but we need to reckon with the possibility that reason can face hard challenges when people feel desperate. It might just get that bit harder for us to argue the case for decent standards and respect for migrant workers.
Another possibility that we should be prepared for is that, in a more stressed society, we’ll see the tendency for firms and families that were already having difficulties to come under more pressure as they experience greater difficulties in paying their way. This may be reflected in an increase in the number of abuse cases and in late payment of salaries. We may find increased resistance to introducing changes that cost money (such as transporting workers in enclosed vehicles instead of open-backed lorries and trucks).
For now, we just need to be alert to these possibilities. TWC2 has a wide range of members, contacts and friends. Working together, we can stay well-informed and continue to promote changes for the better in the status of migrant workers, come what may.
Campaigning for on the ‘Day Off’ issue fits into this perspective well; having a regular day off is a good protection for domestic workers against many forms of abusive behaviour by employers. Even the most stressed individuals will think twice about harming a worker who will go out and meet other people within a few days’ time. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this effort so far: the campaign is going well. There will be more initiatives between now and December to take it forward, so please do what you can.
We do need a day off
By Noer
An Indonesian domestic worker who used to work in Singapore wrote in response to an article in ‘The Straits Times’ by TWC2 president, John Gee, on 19th July. She is now working in Hongkong. We thought that readers would be interested in her comments, which are presented here with her consent:
Generally employers in Hong Kong feel obliged to give their domestic helpers off days. Maybe because their government entitled us to have off days, most employers obey the law. Small numbers do not, but they usually do it sneakily. Those things usually happen when helpers are too afraid to utter a word when their rights are being sabotaged and the agency plays mute as well deaf. Or worse in some cases - the agency makes this thing possible to take place.
Have you heard about being "underpaid''? That refers to cases when domestic helpers in Hong Kong are working for only about a half (and a little bit more) of the legal pay. I can't say it's legal or not because helpers usually sign "underpaid" job contracts willingly*. They're usually the ones that have been staying in training centre for a very long time. Very desperate to get a job, so it doesn't matter if it pays less, they just jump in. And ironically, those underpaid helpers mostly don't get any off days. Without compensations of course, or worse, if they ask for an off day, their pay will be deducted.
This thing still happens until now but not many cases are reported. But then again Indonesian domestic helpers are famous for being homey, easy to handle and quiet (I hope that doesn't mean stupid and gullible). I am not surprised if they put up with things like that.
You mentioned a few reasons offered by employers in Singapore why they are reluctant to give their helpers off days. I say those are not reasons but excuses.
First they are afraid that helpers will run away on off days. Well, if I want to run away from my employer's home, I won't wait that long. Just a quick moment when I take garbage out and I'll disappear.
We've traveled this far just to get a job, It's not free, just like you wrote in your article. Our families we leave behind not only need money - half of the times they are demanding money. Running away can mean we abandon all those responsibilities. And personally I think unless there are very good reasons, a domestic helper won't run away. Mostly Indonesian helpers have very limited educational backgrounds: I don't think they'll survive being illegal migrants for a very long time in Singapore. And it's Singapore not USA (for God's sake) and we are not those guys from Mexico crossing borders and living on the run looking for a better life.
The question is why they run away at the first place. Have their employers been treating them like human beings? With compassion? Have they been given enough food and adequate rest after a long day slaving away? Have their employers been overly demanding and abused them (physically or verbally)? And so on.
Many thousands of Indonesian domestic helpers in Hongkong have off days on Sundays, and I haven't seen newspaper headlines reporting significant numbers of domestic helpers running away on their off days. There are cases when helpers run away from Hong Kong to Macau, mostly when they are having serious problems with their employers and are afraid to be sent home penniless. Macau's authority doesn't do much about it, maybe because Macau needs migrants, legal or illegal. So does the Indonesian government.
And then you also mentioned employers in Singapore are afraid their helpers mix with bad company. I can understand that. I remember a case when an Indonesian helper actually burnt her employer’s house after she killed her with her baby as well? If employers are afraid of something like that, it's normal.
All I can say is that a healthy relationship between helpers and employers is important. Treating helpers like family members, doesn't mean "let's sprawl together on the sofa and watch tv together" but showing them you care, you can listen and they matter to you. Employers should be the first people we trust and we respect enough to count on when we face problems from the moment we arrive. If employers are able to earn that, personally, I think helpers won't need other company, and even if they mix with many peoples it shouldn't affect them much.
Precautions are necessary, I can understand that. Setting certain rules for domestic helpers is fine - like what time the off day starts and ends, an absolute ‘no no’ to give away the address and residence telephone number to strangers or warning to never let strangers into the house. This is wise. Draw some lines, tell us the reasons why you against certain things. And when helpers look troubled or strange it's legal to show some care by asking what is going on - maybe something from outside the household is bothering them. Of course, do it without threatening or accusing.
I've seen many domestic helpers commit gruesome crimes but many happened with "pay back what employers have done" as a reason. Again, how employers treat them really is important.
And then you wrote that employers are afraid of their helpers getting pregnant, I am sorry, I purposely separated that from the above subject for they are really two different matters.
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