No more seven-day workweeks for foreign help

Foreign domestic workers will soon enjoy a mandatory weekly rest day.

The Ministry of Manpower announced that it will require a weekly rest day for foreign domestic workers, while providing employers the flexibility to compensate their FDWs with extra pay if the FDW agrees to work on their rest day.

The new requirement will apply to FDWs whose work permits are issued or renewed from 1 January 2013.

MOM said:

FDWs play an important role in the lives of many families. Improving their well-being has a direct impact on the quality of care that the FDWs provide. More than just physical rest, a rest day provides the FDW with an emotional and mental break from work. This helps to improve their productivity at work, and reduce the likelihood of management problems.

A weekly rest day is regarded internationally as a basic labour right. Local workers and non-domestic foreign workers already enjoy this right under our Employment Act. 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.

To ensure that the new requirement is pragmatic and balances the needs of employers and FDWs, time and flexibility will be given to employers to adjust to the new regulation. For existing FDWs, this new regulation will not apply to the remaining tenure of their work permit.

The weekly rest day requirement will only apply when the FDWs’ Work Permits are up for renewal on or after 1 January 2013. New employers who hire an FDW for the first time from 1 January 2013 will also be subject to the new regulations. Employers will retain the alternative option of compensation in-lieu if the FDW expressly agrees to work on her rest days.