SINGAPORE NGO'S JOIN FORCES TO LAUNCH NATIONAL CAMPAIGN

“DAY OFF” encourages employers to give domestic workers one regular day off
Singapore, 29th April 2008 - Prominent Non Governmental Organisations; UNIFEM
Singapore, HOME and TWC2, are this May joining forces to call on all employers in
Singapore to give their foreign domestic workers a regular rest day off.
The new campaign, entitled Day Off, will commence on Labour Day, 1st May with the
unveiling of a new website www.dayoff.sg. The site includes information about how
to improve the working relationships between employers and domestic workers and
a register of supporters for the campaign. The campaign is planned to run through
to December 2008.
Approximately 170,000 migrant women are currently employed in Singapore as
domestic workers and 1 in 6 Singapore families currently hire one. Day Off aims to
educate Singaporean employers on the importance of a rest day for these women
and offers advice and practical suggestions on how employers they can make
personal adjustments to make this happen and answers some of the questions or
concerns they may have about doing so.
The campaign will be a multi-pronged public education campaign including activities
such as talks and partnerships with educational institutions, community groups,
public and private organisations.
Part of a larger body of work designed to improve the conditions many domestic
workers live and work under in Singapore, 'Day Off' seeks to remedy the current
condition whereby only 50% of domestic workers are thought to be receiving a
regular day off1.
A day off is critical in creating and maintaining a positive working relationship
between employer and employee. It can improve morale and productivity and most
importantly empower the domestic worker as an individual. And with so much focus
on the importance of a work life balance for all kinds of workers - the campaign is
really only asking people to treat others as they would wish to be treated themselves.

Globally, one of UNIFEM's key mandates is to empower women migrant workers, with
a specific focus on domestic workers - the bulk of whom are female.
Since 2003, UNIFEM has instituted programs to support domestic worker rights in
other destination countries like Jordan and Hong Kong as well as source countries
like Nepal, Sri Lanka and The Philippines. The Day Off Campaign in Singapore is a
contribution to this global effort to improve the status and well-being of women
migrant workers.
Speaking of the Day Off campaign, President of UNIFEM Singapore, Saleemah Ismail
said “Foreign domestic workers are productive individuals who make an extremely
valuable contribution to Singaporean society. They take care of our homes and our
children. And like any other person, they deserve a day off. And because time off is
important for anyone's personal development, education, leisure and relaxation as
well as for physical, mental and spiritual health this can only result in a win-win
situation."
She continues "We hear regularly that some employers may have concerns over what
the consequences of giving a day off may be, so through this campaign we hope to
allay these fears and burst the bubbles of myths. Then in time perhaps the campaign
will encourage employers to give their domestic worker a day off a week, the same
benefit that they enjoy at their workplace.”
TWC2 (Transient Workers Count Too) is a Singaporean society concerned with the
well being of migrant workers. It promotes its aims through advocacy, research and
direct services (mainly its helpline).
John Gee, President of TWC2, explains the necessity for the campaign: “TWC2 has
been advocating for a day off since 2003. In 2006, a Standard Employment Contract
was introduced that included provisions for a day off. Many people feel that with the
Standard Contract, domestic workers now have guaranteed days off. However, the
contract has crucial loopholes that negate this. More than a year after the contract
has been introduced, we can say with certainty that the issue still remains
unresolved.”
Since its set up in 2004, HOME has assisted many domestic workers with advocacy,
support, and shelter services. They are very familiar with all the abuses and
challenges that domestic workers face, and can attest that the situation is complex.
HOME firmly believes that giving domestic workers regular time off is a decent work
condition.
Jolovan Wham, Executive Director of HOME said 'Our support is grounded in the fact
that in many of the cases that we handle, the domestic worker finds it difficult to
seek help and support for her problems because she does not have a day off. Hence
she runs away and for some, suicide becomes a tragic option”

He continues “Domestic workers often tell us that having a day off is one of the most
important aspects of their job, as they need this time to relax and socialise with
friends. Having seen so many domestic workers that have been affected by stress
and overwork, we honestly feel that giving a regular day off is quite simply a decent
work condition.”