Singapore employers' upgrade of maids' pay hailed [1]

ABS-CBNnews.com | 12/18/2012 4:00 PM

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MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) lauded Singapore for agreeing to meet the minimum salary of Filipino household service workers of SGD500 (equivalent to $400).

DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, who cited the report of the Association of Licensed Recruitment Agencies for Singapore, Inc., said the initiative of Singaporean employers is consistent with the Philippines’ own HSW reform package which sets the minimum $400 salary for Filipino HSWs.

“It also reflects a magnanimous response, on the part of the employers, to meet the minimum standards of the International Labor Organization's (ILO) Convention 189 Concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers," said Baldoz,

Baldoz said the Association of Licensed Recruitment Agencies for Singapore, Inc. (ALRAS), conducted a goodwill mission to Singapore to address concerns affecting the welfare of Filipino domestic workers.

ALRAS President Lucita Sermonia said the general membership of the group unanimously agreed to implement the substantial improvement of the conditions of HSWs, concurred by Singaporean employers. A similar mission was also conducted in Malaysia.

On top the minimum US$400 salary for HSWs, the terms agreed to be implemented by the Association which are now in effect are as follows:

• No placement fee before departure at the jobsite through salary deductions;
• Provision of three (3) meals a day;
• One (1) day off;
• At least seven (7) hours of uninterrupted sleep; and,
• keeping and being allowed to use a mobile phone.

“The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) welcomes the positive results of the goodwill missions by your association in Singapore and Malaysia," Baldoz said.