On Sunday, Jolovan Wham, a migrant worker rights activist posted a photo of several women lying on the floor of a kitchen on his instagram, stating that the women are foreign domestic workers (FDWs) who are waiting to be deployed to their employers.

The photo which was taken by one of the FDWs shows the harsh conditions that they live in, and it is said that the FDWs are being charged $15 a day by the unnamed agency.

Wham wrote in his post,

This employment agency charges $15 a day while the domestic workers wait to be deployed to their employers. According to the worker who sent it to me, they had to sleep in the kitchen and were only given rice to eat. They were also barred from using mobile phones. She had to take this photograph secretly and hide her phone. Such poor treatment is not uncommon since Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower employment agency licencing conditions do not set clear and detailed standards on how domestic workers should be treated. It only says that agencies are responsible for “upkeep and maintenance” “provision of food” and “acceptable accommodation”. Patchy and inconsistent enforcement is a likely outcome of such vagueness. Therefore, whether or not this agency will be penalised is uncertain. There are also no policies to protect whistle blowers. If complaints are filed, the women might lose their jobs. Even with the intervention of NGOs like HOME: Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics, under reporting is a huge problem due to a lack of incentives to name perpetrators. This results in unethical agencies getting away scot free. During audit operations, the Ministry is also known to inform agencies in advance that checks will be done on their premises, giving them ample time to cover up their misdeeds. Such poor enforcement practices is one of the reasons migrant workers continue to be enslaved.

The post which was also shared on Wham’s Facebook account was widely shared over 1,000 times and attracted over 250 comments. Response to Wham’s post was largely how people were being shocked at the alleged treatment received by the FDWs and confirmations from former and current FDWs in Singapore that they have also been in such situations before.

Maila G. Benesisto wrote, “

Thirdy Camoca Ularte wrote, “

Besonia Padrones Dionne wrote, “

Markcedrictheacarl Tabin Semana wrote, “

Genkijin Firifinjin wrote, “

Cherry Jimenez Galcon wrote, “W

Amie Lajada Laguidao wrote, “

Chelle Domenden AycoTabaniag Alonzo wrote, “

Jet Balane Mella wrote, “

Amzaky Hanny wrote, “

Marivic Evidor Amandy wrote, “

Mara Krizia Montemayor wrote, “

However, a few also shared that they were lucky not to have experienced such treatment with their agencies.

Whem Permo De Asis wrote, “

Mary E Flores Estonina wrote, “Not all government agency like that…My employer is owner of a agency here in Singapore.. you can sleep well, you will eat right (usually you have the aayaw because many can eat).. Sometimes you’re shy because they are still Serve you.. They are so kind and generous employer..”

The Online Citizen is used to dealing with MOM on such matters, for all the enquires that we sent to them, after waiting a few weeks, they will just ask us to refer to the website. So here’s the link to the matter at hand. http://www.mom.gov.sg/faq/work-permit-for-fdw/what-is-the-fdws-employment-agency-responsible-for