HOME: Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics

Is this acceptable accommodation?

The sketches here are based on images sent to us by a migrant domestic worker (MDW) on her living conditions. According to her, she was made to sleep on a mattress squeezed in the kitchen, with no privacy. Her sleep quality was bad: birds would fly in through the kitchen window that couldn't be fully closed, and there would sometimes be cockroaches scurrying on the floor.

She also said that she was instructed to store her luggage in the water metre closet outside the house. Her employers had already been advised by the building management that this was not allowed. The closet had no lock, and the MDW was rightfully worried that her luggage would be stolen.

She filed a complaint about her poor living conditions and wanted a transfer. But after the investigations concluded, she was ultimately sent home by the employer.

To ensure MDWs live and work with dignity, they deserve spaces where they can get ample rest and privacy. In our 2022 position paper on MDWs’ living conditions, we described the variety of conditions that the interviewees were subject to, and the difficulties they faced while navigating unfavourable sleeping arrangements. Read the summary of the findings and our recommendations here:https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a12725612abd96b9c737354/t/62d0e276527e4130cd7de7bf/1657856638264/What+is+Acceptable+Accommodation_Report.pdf

Let's talk about the "unsung heroes" playing a pivotal role in cleaning up the oil spill.

The article details how the tasks taken on by the workers and volunteers are back-breaking and precarious, consisting of laborious digging and balancing on unsteady platforms to perform the clean-up tasks, all performed regardless of rain or searing heat. The workers also work under difficult circumstances, limited by tide timings and equipment breaking down.

These "unsung heros" certainly deserve our appreciation.

Equally crucial, however, is that they receive the labour rights and protections they deserve: proper cleaning equipment and protective gear, compensation for any overtime work, adequate breaks, a heatsafe environment and sufficient (and nutritious) food to allow them to perform the strenuous work that they do.

Many of the workers involved are migrant workers, who have little bargaining power and choice in the tasks that they do — it is important that they are able to work in circumstances that are guarded against exploitation, and with safety and dignity.

As an island, Singapore's beaches are treasured public spaces that are enjoyed by everyone. Those who are working towards preserving its cleanliness and usability must be allowed to work in a humane manner.

Cleaning up after the oil spill: Unsung heroes in Singapore toil daily for over 2 months At least 1,000 workers are involved in cleaning the beaches at East Coast Park and Sentosa. Read more at straitstimes.com.

A recently published study on caregiving time spent on older adults found that MDWs play a significant role in our caregiving infrastructure, providing an average of 42 caregiving hours per week — more than primary and secondary informal caregivers.

The researchers also noted a difference in the nature of caregiving between primary caregivers and MDWs, observing that MDWs provided care that is “more physical in nature”.

With 1 in 4 Singaporeans expected to be 65 or older by 2030, our reliance on MDWs is bound to increase. In particular, their role in our caregiving infrastructure will only become more critical. How can we then ensure that all informal caregivers, including MDWs, are taken care of? Read our recommendations below:

"Ro arrived in Singapore expecting to be trained as a hairstylist: this was what she was told by an acquaintance from her home country, whose relatives owned a hair salon in Singapore. She came with dreams of learning the trade, doing well, and opening her own salon one day.

However, Ro was in for a shock."

Last week, on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (TIP), we published an explainer on TIP and its significance in the international, regional and domestic contexts: https://www.home.org.sg/our-updates/2024/7/30/what-is-trafficking-in-persons-tip.

Today, we spotlight the case of Ro*, who was identified by HOME as a potential TIP victim due to the high levels of deception and exploitation. Read it in full here: https://www.home.org.sg/our-updates/ro-story.

HOME identified her as a potential trafficking victim — HOME Find out more about Ro, a migrant worker who faced high levels of deception and exploitation when she came to work in Singapore.

Home, a place we hold dear and cherish, built and tended to by those who long for their own homes. Happy National Day, to everyone who has shaped Singapore into a home, truly.

"The increase in cases was driven by a higher number of salary claims involving foreign employees in the construction sector, especially those who had worked in firms facing business failures, financial difficulties or undergoing liquidation, said MOM and TADM."

From: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/jobs/salary-wrongful-dismissal-claims-up-in-2023-amid-economic-challenges-report

When companies undergo financial distress, the effects often spill over to workers. We need better protections for low-wage migrant workers to ensure that they receive the salary they are entitled to.

Recently, HOME published an article on difficulties faced by low-wage migrant workers when making salary claims, in which we also spotlighted a case where the ECT allowed an employer to pay a worker his owed salary in installments over 40 months. Read the article, as well as our recommendations for an improved salary claim process here: https://www.home.org.sg/our-updates/2024/7/24/salary-claims-victorys-shadow-defeats-echo

Salary, wrongful dismissal claims up in 2023 amid economic challenges: Report Locals accounted for nearly half of the 9,397 claims and appeals, with the rest lodged by foreigners. Read more at straitstimes.com.

30 July is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (TIP). Find out TIP means in the international, regional and domestic contexts, and how TIP intersects with violations faced by migrant workers in Singapore.

Read the full post at the link in our bio.

The next part of our Domestic Work around the World series brings us to the United States.

With one-third of domestic workers estimated to be migrant workers, what are some policies in place to offer them protection? Swipe to find out.

The next part of our Domestic Work around the World series brings us to the United States.

With one-third of domestic workers estimated to be migrant workers, what are some policies in place to offer them protection? Read to find out.

Thank you to everyone who attended last weekend's event!

It's been an eventful CEDAW session for HOME, and we found ourselves encouraged further by the CEDAW Committee's recommendations for migrant domestic workers. To read our CEDAW submission or to find out more about our engagement during this session, head over to this link: https://www.home.org.sg/our-updates/2024/7/26/home-advocates-for-migrant-domestic-workers-at-cedaw

High recruitment fees and deceptive recruitment practices continue to be pressing issues for many migrant workers in Singapore, leaving them heavily indebted and under immense financial pressure.

In this article, HOME outlines how these issues can be tackled: "Dealing with deceptive recruitment practices requires substantive transnational cooperation and HOME urges policymakers to take decisive action to w**d out such criminal activity."

Why do migrant workers pay thousands of dollars to work in Singapore? Migrant workers can pay thousands of dollars for a job that may never materialise. CNA looks at foreign recruitment for Singapore and the ways it can go wrong.

On Sunday, 23 June 2024, we saw a brilliant display of talent during the second iteration of HOME's Got Talent. From unbelievable vocals to smashing dance moves, all the contestants brought their best to the stage and put on a show to remember. It was also an opportune moment for the HOME community to commemorate International Domestic Workers' Day, acknowledging the immense work taken on by our migrant workers. View snapshots of the exhilarating event in this album!

A massive thank you to our brilliant judges — Erick Guansing, Claire Fontaine, Pamela Wildheart, Dr Sharil Salleh and Yudhy Widhayanto — who generously shared their time and expertise during the audition rounds as well as the Grand Final. We would like to extend our gratitude to Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre for the venue, our generous sponsors for the lucky draw prizes, and our amazing HOME Family volunteers for pulling off another spectacular event!

Lastly, thank you to our Board Member Grace Baey for the wonderful pictures 💛

Be a part of HOME.

Join us as our new part-time Administrative Coordinator. In this role, you'll get the chance to foster the economic empowerment of our HOME Academy students and help with crucial community-building work carried out by HOME Academy.

Apply now at bit.ly/Admin-Coordinator-HOME

Oil slicks and deposits across Singapore's beaches have been tirelessly cleared by migrant workers over the past week, at an astonishing speed. They continue to be part of the team at the forefront of safeguarding Singapore's shores and ecosystems. We hope that in turn, they are protected through the provision of appropriate equipment and ample rest.

In pictures: Singapore intensifies clean up as oil spill spreads along coast An oil spill off southern Singapore has spread to other areas of the island's coast and is threatening a marine reserve, government agencies said, adding that authorities were intensifying efforts to mop up the fuel.

HOME wishes a joyous Eid-Al-Adha to all our Muslim migrant friends and all who celebrate!

Happy International Domestic Workers' Day!

Over the last year, HOME’s campaign has spotlighted the need for rest days for migrant domestic workers (MDWs) to be defined as 24 continuous hours. Rest is crucial for live-in MDWs who do not have legally mandated limits on their working hours, and for them to live and work with dignity.

The absence of 24-hour rest days is just one of the issues impacting MDWs' rest. This International Domestic Workers' Day, as part of our campaign, we examine other issues that continue to obstruct their statutory right to rest.

On 2 June 2024, at HOME's Annual General Meeting, we ushered in a new Board for the 2024-2026 term.

The new Board includes members who have been actively involved in civil society and non-profit spaces in Singapore for many years, and we are confident the Board will take forward the good work HOME has achieved! 💪

For more details about the AGM and our Board members, visit our website:

HOME welcomes its new Board for the 2024-2026 term — HOME HOME welcomes its new Board for the upcoming 2024-2026 term.

After the sixth periodic review of Singapore under the Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the CEDAW Committee has given their recommendations to the government on steps to be taken to address discrimination faced by women, including migrant women, in Singapore.

In this post, we set out some of the observations and recommendations from the Committee. Swipe to read more!

“(Mr) Sharif's situation shows the ‘deportability’ of migrant workers, even when they are victims."

Despite contributing to our workforce for close to two decades, Sharif now faces a hasty repatriation just a few days after the conclusion of his investigation. Sharif has been a staunch advocate for the rights of his fellow migrant workers, and has contributed to our local literature landscape. His abrupt repatriation is distressing—as a victim in a scam situation, he should be given a fair chance and adequate time to seek re-employment.

Migrant worker fired over 'loan shark' harassment faces deportation after being unable to find job SINGAPORE — A migrant worker who was terminated by his employer in March after being harassed by purported "loan sharks", although he denied ever borrowing any money, is now required to leave Singapore by the end of the month.

HOME (and our feline representative Ming Ming) wishes everyone a lovely Vesak Day 💛

Happy Mother’s Day 💛

Separation is a lasting pain that migrant mothers carry in their hearts, while they piece together a better life in a new land. We hope that this letter, lovingly penned by a migrant mother to her son, can serve as a reminder that you are all cherished.

HOME would like to extend our utmost gratitude to Sri Kunahari and Yoga Prasetyo for graciously sharing their story with us.

Labour Day is a reminder of the importance of workers' solidarity and the ongoing fight for social and economic justice.

Today, we call upon everyone, including the Singapore government, employment agencies, industry associations, and trade unions to not forget the rights and invaluable contributions of low-wage migrant workers.

Read our full statement on our website: www.home.org.sg/our-updates/labour-day-2024.

New Zealand’s employer-tied work permit system mirrors Singapore's, in which workers face difficulties in leaving abusive and exploitative work situations as they require the employer's consent to switch jobs. The article states that migrant workers in New Zealand face fraud, deception, wage theft, and kickbacks (where they have to pay for their work permits to be issued/renewed), which are exploitative practices faced by many migrant workers in Singapore as well.

Additionally, low-wage migrant workers now have to fulfil new requirements to be employed in New Zealand, including the need for them to prove a minimum standard of English. These requirements may have the adverse effect of incentivising exploitative middlemen and agencies to charge workers exorbitant rates to fulfil this requirement, are not imposed on other economic migrants who are deemed to be higher-skilled, and have higher income levels.

We support the recommendations set out in the article to empower low-wage migrant workers and ensure that they are treated with dignity, such as removing the employer-tied work permit system (and in Singapore, removing the $5000 security bond), allowing migrants to live with their families, and providing them a pathway to long-term residency and citizenship. The latter two are privileges usually accorded only to migrants with higher incomes.

The contributions that low-wage migrant workers make for our countries are immense, and we have a duty to ensure that they are recognised as an integral and indispensable part of our country.

In demand but disempowered: why low-skilled migrant workers face even worse exploitation under NZ’s new rules Other labour migrants in New Zealand enjoy rights broadly in line with those experienced by citizens and permanent residents – ‘low-skilled’ workers should too.

"Migrant workers are a significant section of our society, and yet can be so invisible."

As photographer Geraldine Kang shares in this article, migrant domestic workers (MDWs) are the only employees in Singapore mandated to live with their employers. Her photo series captures issues around MDWs' accommodation, like the lack of privacy and cramped sleeping arrangements.

While employers are meant to provide "acceptable" accommodation, the vagueness of this term means that living conditions can vary vastly.

Geraldine Kang Captures the Spaces We Provide for Migrant Domestic Helpers What do we owe to the people who keep our households running smoothly? Is a mattress enough for a domestic helper?

Despite stern warnings having no legal effect, MDWs who are issued these warnings are barred from seeking re-employment in Singapore.

Mia*, a migrant domestic worker (MDW) who had been working in Singapore for three years, faced a similar circumstance. Her criminal charge was dropped; instead, she was given a stern warning. However, the stern warning disbarred her from seeking another job in Singapore. Swipe to read her story.

HOME reiterates that migrant workers with stern warnings should be allowed to continue employment in Singapore. This is in line with the principle that every individual is innocent until proven guilty, a finding that can only be made by a court of law.

April marks a time of new beginnings and renewed hope, as various Southeast Asian and South Asian countries bring in the new year. HOME wishes all our migrant friends a wonderful new year 🌼

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Eid Mubarak to all our Muslim migrant friends and everyone who celebrates 💛 We hope the day is one filled with joy, peace and cherished memories.