Maid to Order
Ending Abuses Against Migrant Domestic Workers in Singapore

Summary

Key Recommendations

Background

Asian Women’s Labor Migration
Status of Women in Sending Countries
Status of Women in Singapore
Migrants in Singapore

Pre-Departure Abuses

Legal Framework for Migrant Domestic Workers in Singapore

Exclusion from Labor Laws
Work Permit Regulations
Recent Initiatives
Unjustifiable Disparate Impact: Exclusion from Labor Protections

Agent Abuse and Negligence in Singapore

Workplace Abuses in Singapore

Deaths
Forced Confinement, Unpaid Wages, and Exorbitant Debt Payments

Forced Confinement and Restricted Communication
Unpaid Wages
Exorbitant Debt Payments
International Standards on Forced Labor and Debt Bondage
International Standards on Freedom of Movement and Freedom of Association

Poor Working Conditions

Lack of Rest Days
Hours of Work, Rest Periods
Illegal Deployment
Low and Unequal Wages
Inadequate Living Accommodations
The Right to Just and Favorable Conditions of Work

Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, and Mistreatment

Physical Abuse
Food Deprivation
Sexual Abuse and Harassment
Verbal Abuse and Threats
The Right to Security of Person and Freedom from Discrimination

Restrictions on Religious Freedom
Restrictions on Reproductive and Marriage Rights

Response of the Singapore Government
Response of Sending Countries
Response of Employment Agencies
Response of Civil Society and Faith-Based Organizations
Response of Regional and International Institutions

Conclusion

Recommendations

To the Singapore Government
To the Governments of Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Other Labor-Sending Countries
To Employment Agencies and Accrediting Bodies
To International Donors and Organizations
To the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Acknowledgments

Appendix A: Standard Contract for Migrant Domestic Workers in Hong Kong (pdf file - 5 pages, 139 Kb)

Appendix B: Work Permit Conditions for Domestic Workers in Singapore (pdf file - 2 pages, 124 Kb)

Appendix C: Abuses Documented by Human Rights Watch (pdf file - 2 pages, 123 Kb)

Appendix D: Prosecution Cases for Salary Default (pdf file - 1 page, 125 Kb)

December 2005   Vol.17, No. 10(C)