I refer to the report “24% of maids suffer from poor mental health: Survey” (March 9).
It may be true that a minority of employers could manage their foreign domestic workers better; both parties may be new to each other, adapting takes time and certain training could be conducted.
However, we also see the welfare of domestic workers being promoted, such as with the opening of a clubhouse by the Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Training.
While we should appreciate the efforts of the Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics to also promote domestic workers’ welfare, we must bear in mind the limitations of its survey.
For example, the 670 surveyed form merely 0.3 per cent of the foreign domestic worker population, and a sampling error whereby the data may not be completely representative is a possibility.
And without constructive sharing of anecdotes about successful domestic workers and employers, and how the rest can adopt best practices, the survey may only reflect negatively on the way some Singaporeans manage their domestic workers.
It may be true that a minority of employers could manage their foreign domestic workers better; both parties may be new to each other, adapting takes time and certain training could be conducted.
However, we also see the welfare of domestic workers being promoted, such as with the opening of a clubhouse by the Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Training.
While we should appreciate the efforts of the Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics to also promote domestic workers’ welfare, we must bear in mind the limitations of its survey.
For example, the 670 surveyed form merely 0.3 per cent of the foreign domestic worker population, and a sampling error whereby the data may not be completely representative is a possibility.
And without constructive sharing of anecdotes about successful domestic workers and employers, and how the rest can adopt best practices, the survey may only reflect negatively on the way some Singaporeans manage their domestic workers.
