S'pore To Introduce Weekly Rest Day Requirement For Foreign Domestic Workers

SINGAPORE, March 6 (Bernama) -- The Singapore Ministry of Manpower will introduce a new weekly rest day requirement for foreign domestic workers (FDWs) whose work permits are issued or renewed from Jan 1, 2013. As such, employers will be given the flexibility to compensate their FDWs with extra pay if they agree to work on their rest day. The ministry in a statement on Monday said a weekly rest day was regarded internationally as a basic labour right. "Local workers and non-domestic foreign workers already enjoy this right under our Employment Act," the statement said. As Singapore is among the few FDW-receiving countries with no provisions for weekly rest days, this regulation is also expected to enhance Singapore's attractiveness as a destination for quality and experienced FDWs. The ministry's move followed a comprehensive year-long review of the FDW management framework, including a study of the major FDW destinations worldwide, and extensive stakeholder consultations with employers, FDWs, employment agencies, NGOs, and source country representatives. Prior to this, the ministry had also announced that the FDW Entry Test would be replaced with a Settling-In Programme for first time FDWs this year. -- BERNAMA