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Tuesday, September 4th, 2007
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2:56 pm - DSCN1831
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| Tuesday, March 27th, 2007
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9:48 pm - A letter from The Straits Times Interactive website that wasn't printed
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March 23, 2007
Why is it hard to set a minimum wage for maids?
I AM one of the thousands of Filipino maids in Singapore. Let me share my opinion about the proposed US$400 monthly salary of Filipino maids.
This recommendation made by the Philippine government is a good move for us because we work more than 12 hours a day with less than eight hours of continuous rest.
According to a study conducted by Harvard University, Singapore's maids boost the economy. Having maids at home who can take care of kids and even old folks allows skilled women to join the workforce, this increasing productivity.
The study found that private household workers make up about 7 percent of the labour force, raise the income of local low-skilled workers and push overall income for nationals. As well as raising national income, the presence of maids increases tax revenue.
Among the Asian countries hiring maids, Singapore gives the lowest pay. Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan have raised maids' salaries a long time ago. Employers have complained that aside from the salary given to us, they still have to pay levy. So do employers in the countries mentioned above. Besides paying levy, they also give maids a day off every week and during holidays. Why can't Singapore do the same?
Domestic workers here are not included under the Employment Act. Separate laws apply to us. We are overworked and the laws to protect us are weak.
With regard to our salary, why can't the Government set a minimum wage for maids? Make it mandatory, not to be 'negotiated freely between workers and employers". Our monthly $350 salary divided by 16 working hours a day is equivalent to 73 cents per hour. Who wants to work at this hourly rate?
I feel envy when I learnt that the salaries of nurses and caregivers had been increased. We are the primary caregivers of Singaporean families. Although they called us maids, our job is more complicated than theirs.
We play a very important role in the lives of the people here and contribute to the country's economy. Why it is very hard to set a minimum wage for us? Is it because Singapore subscribes to the principle of a free labour market, where wages are determined by market forces?
Aida S. Yuson (Ms)
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(5 comments | comment on this)
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| Saturday, November 25th, 2006
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7:10 pm
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(25th March 2005)
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