<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>MOM explains new foreign worker rules
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I THANK Ms Alice Cheah for her letter last Saturday ('Questions about new foreign worker rules') about new conditions in the security bond for foreign workers.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has considered employers' concerns that they have little control over their foreign workers from absconding on their own accord.
We then updated the conditions such that in the event the worker absconds, MOM will only forfeit half the $5,000 security deposit, if the employer has made reasonable efforts to locate the worker. This is to cover the cost of the foreign worker's repatriation and other related costs once the worker is found. MOM will consider refunding the $2,500 if the employer locates and repatriates the missing worker within three months. This move will benefit responsible employers.
MOM takes a serious view of employers who flout employment regulations by not paying their foreign domestic workers' wages on time. Every complaint will be thoroughly investigated and about 80 per cent of arrears cases last year were completed within three months.
As an employment agent herself, Ms Cheah will already be aware that while the complaint is being investigated, a foreign domestic worker who wishes to continue working here can seek a new employer through her original or another employment agency. It is left to the discretion of the agency whether to charge the prospective employer for successful placements.
The new conditions will take effect from Jan 1 next year, to give employers adequate time to adjust to the changes as the security bond will apply to both foreign domestic workers and non-domestic workers.
MOM reminds employers of foreign workers to take their responsibilities seriously at all times.
Farah Abdul Rahim (Ms)
Director, Corporate Communications
Ministry of Manpower
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I THANK Ms Alice Cheah for her letter last Saturday ('Questions about new foreign worker rules') about new conditions in the security bond for foreign workers.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has considered employers' concerns that they have little control over their foreign workers from absconding on their own accord.
We then updated the conditions such that in the event the worker absconds, MOM will only forfeit half the $5,000 security deposit, if the employer has made reasonable efforts to locate the worker. This is to cover the cost of the foreign worker's repatriation and other related costs once the worker is found. MOM will consider refunding the $2,500 if the employer locates and repatriates the missing worker within three months. This move will benefit responsible employers.
MOM takes a serious view of employers who flout employment regulations by not paying their foreign domestic workers' wages on time. Every complaint will be thoroughly investigated and about 80 per cent of arrears cases last year were completed within three months.
As an employment agent herself, Ms Cheah will already be aware that while the complaint is being investigated, a foreign domestic worker who wishes to continue working here can seek a new employer through her original or another employment agency. It is left to the discretion of the agency whether to charge the prospective employer for successful placements.
The new conditions will take effect from Jan 1 next year, to give employers adequate time to adjust to the changes as the security bond will apply to both foreign domestic workers and non-domestic workers.
MOM reminds employers of foreign workers to take their responsibilities seriously at all times.
Farah Abdul Rahim (Ms)
Director, Corporate Communications
Ministry of Manpower
