Latest news with #domestichelpers
Independent Singapore
2 days ago
- Independent Singapore
SFA investigating ‘Little Indonesia Market' run by maids at City Plaza in Paya Lebar
SINGAPORE: Migrant domestic workers have reportedly been selling food and drinks in Paya Lebar, specifically in the area around City Plaza, according to a report in Shin Min Daily News. This occurs on most weekends, the Chinese-language daily says, adding that the maids from Indonesia sell these items in spite of knowing that it is against the law. Some have taken to calling the area 'Little Indonesia Market.' However, this may not go on for much longer, as authorities have begun to look into the matter. The report quotes the Singapore Food Agency as saying that they've started investigations and that action will be taken against unlicensed food vendors. The helpers are selling food in order to earn a little bit more money, although this comes somewhat at the expense of the shopkeepers in the vicinity, who've lost some business. Despite selling their items for slightly higher prices, some of the women still do brisk business. One hawker said that sales at his stall have been affected by around 20 per cent. Some of the helpers selling food simply display the items in open spaces, while others walk around with reusable bags containing food items such as chicken rice, rice balls, and fruit. When a person shows interest in buying something from them, they stop for a possible transaction. A helper who spoke to Shin Min Daily News said that her employer does not know about her side job. Understandably, she chose not to be named in the report and apologised and walked away, even while she was still being questioned, asking not to be followed. In Singapore, people who do not have a license to do so are not allowed to offer food items or other goods for sale in a public place under the Environmental Public Health Act 1987. This is because doing so could not only cause environmental problems, but also pose a risk to public health. It is possible that food sold illegally may not meet the safety standards of the Singapore Food Agency and may therefore not be safe for consumption. See also Singapore houses recovered migrant workers on cruise ships The agency told MustshareNews , 'Food safety is a joint responsibility. Members of the public who come across any suspected illegal hawking of goods and/or food are advised not to patronise them and make a report via our online feedback form .' /TISG Read also: MOM: Maids are required to have measles immunity in households with young kids who aren't fully vaccinated, as cases rise worldwide
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's top court dismisses domestic helper's forced labour challenge
Hong Kong's top court has dismissed a judicial review of a foreign domestic helper who argued police had failed to properly investigate her complaint against her employer due to the absence of specific legislation against forced labour. The Court of Final Appeal on Wednesday, in upholding a ruling last year by the Court of Appeal, found that the city's lack of bespoke legislation for forced labour was not necessary to provide 'practical and effective' protection of the Filipina helper's rights. The helper, identified as CB, had initially succeeded in a bid for a judicial review, claiming that police inadequately investigated her complaint against her employer, an elderly doctor from Britain, due to the absence of specific legislation against forced labour. She alleged that the doctor, identified as Z, had repeatedly molested her and coerced her into sexual acts over an eight-month period between September 2018 and April 2019. But the Court of First Instance's ruling in 2022 was partially overturned by the Court of Appeal last year, with three judges of the appellate court finding insufficient grounds to conclude that enacting a dedicated offence for forced labour was 'the only effective solution' to what CB described as a systemic failure. A subsequent investigation, ordered by the lower court, also concluded that the helper was not a victim of forced labour. The doctor was initially jailed for two-and-a-half years on two counts of indecent assault, but the conviction was quashed on appeal, and he was acquitted of all charges in a retrial. The worker also lost a subsequent civil claim against him.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
From September, Singapore mandates measles shots for helpers in homes with unvaccinated kids
SINGAPORE, June 11 — From September 1, all domestic helpers in Singapore working in homes with children under the age of seven who are not fully vaccinated against measles must themselves be immunised, the country's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced yesterday. The move is aimed at safeguarding 'unvaccinated young children who are at higher risk of serious health complications from measles infections', said MOM, as reported by Channel News Asia (CNA). Singapore has already recorded 10 measles infections in 2025 as of the week ending May 10, just one shy of the total 11 cases reported in all of 2024, according to the Ministry of Health. Employers applying for or renewing work permits for migrant domestic workers (MDWs) must now declare: Whether the domestic helper is already vaccinated or immune to measles Whether all children under seven in the household are fully vaccinated If unvaccinated, whether a vaccination appointment has been booked Domestic helpers may be exempted if they are already immune — either through previous infection or past vaccination — or if all children under seven in the home have been fully immunised. Proof of immunity, such as vaccination records or serology test results, may be required. Employers are advised to check their domestic helper's immunity status well before permit renewal. Households with immunocompromised members are also strongly encouraged to verify their helper's measles immunity or arrange for vaccination. To meet the requirement, domestic helpers must receive two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, spaced at least 28 days apart. The vaccine is available at private GP clinics, with the cost to be paid by employers. MOM also warned against false declarations. 'If employers with children below seven years old are found with MDWs who are not immune against measles, their work pass privileges may be suspended until vaccination proof is submitted,' the ministry said. Random checks and documentary audits will be conducted to ensure compliance. While Singapore maintains high overall vaccination rates — over 95 per cent for the first MMR dose and 90 per cent for the second among resident two-year-olds — sporadic cases are expected, MOM said, citing the 'highly transmissible nature of the disease'. The Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) stressed that despite strong local immunity, 'the surge in measles cases globally and regionally continues to pose public health risks, particularly for those without measles immunity'. Measles, which spreads through airborne droplets, has been part of Singapore's compulsory childhood immunisation schedule since 1985.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
From September, Singapore mandates measles shots for helpers in homes with unvaccinated kids under seven
SINGAPORE, June 11 — From September 1, all domestic helpers in Singapore working in homes with children under the age of seven who are not fully vaccinated against measles must themselves be immunised, the country's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced yesterday. The move is aimed at safeguarding 'unvaccinated young children who are at higher risk of serious health complications from measles infections', said MOM, as reported by Channel News Asia (CNA). Singapore has already recorded 10 measles infections in 2025 as of the week ending May 10, just one shy of the total 11 cases reported in all of 2024, according to the Ministry of Health. Employers applying for or renewing work permits for migrant domestic workers (MDWs) must now declare: Whether the domestic helper is already vaccinated or immune to measles Whether all children under seven in the household are fully vaccinated If unvaccinated, whether a vaccination appointment has been booked Domestic helpers may be exempted if they are already immune — either through previous infection or past vaccination — or if all children under seven in the home have been fully immunised. Proof of immunity, such as vaccination records or serology test results, may be required. Employers are advised to check their domestic helper's immunity status well before permit renewal. Households with immunocompromised members are also strongly encouraged to verify their helper's measles immunity or arrange for vaccination. To meet the requirement, domestic helpers must receive two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, spaced at least 28 days apart. The vaccine is available at private GP clinics, with the cost to be paid by employers. MOM also warned against false declarations. 'If employers with children below seven years old are found with MDWs who are not immune against measles, their work pass privileges may be suspended until vaccination proof is submitted,' the ministry said. Random checks and documentary audits will be conducted to ensure compliance. While Singapore maintains high overall vaccination rates — over 95 per cent for the first MMR dose and 90 per cent for the second among resident two-year-olds — sporadic cases are expected, MOM said, citing the 'highly transmissible nature of the disease'. The Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) stressed that despite strong local immunity, 'the surge in measles cases globally and regionally continues to pose public health risks, particularly for those without measles immunity'. Measles, which spreads through airborne droplets, has been part of Singapore's compulsory childhood immunisation schedule since 1985.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
From September, Singapore mandates measles shots for helpers in homes with unvaccinated kids
SINGAPORE, June 11 — From September 1, all domestic helpers in Singapore working in homes with children under the age of seven who are not fully vaccinated against measles must themselves be immunised, the country's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced yesterday. The move is aimed at safeguarding 'unvaccinated young children who are at higher risk of serious health complications from measles infections', said MOM, as reported by Channel News Asia (CNA). Singapore has already recorded 10 measles infections in 2025 as of the week ending May 10, just one shy of the total 11 cases reported in all of 2024, according to the Ministry of Health. Employers applying for or renewing work permits for migrant domestic workers (MDWs) must now declare: Whether the domestic helper is already vaccinated or immune to measles Whether all children under seven in the household are fully vaccinated If unvaccinated, whether a vaccination appointment has been booked Domestic helpers may be exempted if they are already immune — either through previous infection or past vaccination — or if all children under seven in the home have been fully immunised. Proof of immunity, such as vaccination records or serology test results, may be required. Employers are advised to check their domestic helper's immunity status well before permit renewal. Households with immunocompromised members are also strongly encouraged to verify their helper's measles immunity or arrange for vaccination. To meet the requirement, domestic helpers must receive two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, spaced at least 28 days apart. The vaccine is available at private GP clinics, with the cost to be paid by employers. MOM also warned against false declarations. 'If employers with children below seven years old are found with MDWs who are not immune against measles, their work pass privileges may be suspended until vaccination proof is submitted,' the ministry said. Random checks and documentary audits will be conducted to ensure compliance. While Singapore maintains high overall vaccination rates — over 95 per cent for the first MMR dose and 90 per cent for the second among resident two-year-olds — sporadic cases are expected, MOM said, citing the 'highly transmissible nature of the disease'. The Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) stressed that despite strong local immunity, 'the surge in measles cases globally and regionally continues to pose public health risks, particularly for those without measles immunity'. Measles, which spreads through airborne droplets, has been part of Singapore's compulsory childhood immunisation schedule since 1985.
