Illustrative image (Source: VNA)Minister of the State for Manpower Sam Tan said that the move is to ensure allforeign domestic workers (FDWs) continue to be adequately compensated in theevent of permanent disability or death while employed in the country.
He pointed out that the adjustment is in line with higher FDW salaries coupledwith increases in the cost of living in workers’ home countries since the lastsurvey in 2008.
Starting salaries for FDWs rose from an average of 300 SGD (213 USD) in 2012 to550 SGD (391 USD) in 2016.
Along with the new compensation level, the annual insurance premiums are alsoincreased from 7 SGD (4.9 USD) to 15 SGD (10.7 USD) a year.
Changes will be made to allow FDWs or their legal representatives to fileclaims directly with insurers or have an MOM-appointed representative directedto act on their behalf.
To protect FDWs’ rights, MOM is responsible to define when the workers firstarrive in Singapore to the date they return homes or to the date their new workpermits are issued in case they change employers.
According to MOM’s statistics, there are some 200,000 foreign workers inSingapore and the figure is expected to increase to 300,000 in the next fewyears.
Last year, the National Trade Union Congress’s Centre for Domestic Employers(CDE) handled insurance compensation for 600 cases. In addition, the centrealso calls the Government to increase compulsory healthcare insurance to 15,000SGD (10,700 USD) for domestic labourers. -VNA
VNA
