Labour Rights #4 - Straits Times Summary - Points to note in new contract

Straits Times Picture, 21/07/2006

Key points employers and maids must agree on in the new standard employment contract:

• Employer must give maids between one and four days off a month. If the day off is not taken, the maid must be paid in cash. Compensation may be fixed at twice the maid's daily pay.
• Employer must state the number of continuous rest hours a maid should get daily. Eight hours is recommended.
• Employer must state the maid's pay and which day the salary is to be paid.
• Employer must state the number of days of paid home leave the maid should get. Fifteen days is recommended. Employer pays for her trip to and from home.
• Employer must pay maid a lump sum equivalent to the return ticket to her city of origin or a pre-set lump sum in cash, if the maid forgoes her home leave.
• Employer must state whether the maid will share a room with his children, get a separate room or sleep somewhere else.
• Employer must also stipulate the maid's job scope, including specific chores and the number of family members she should look after.
• If the contract is terminated or expires, the employer must bear the cost of repatriating the maid.

Key points in employment contract between the employer and agent

• Before employers enter an agreement, agents must show a price schedule, detailing what they have to pay, and how much.
• Agents must specify all fees and costs in the contract - there will be no hidden or other costs.
• If employers decide to terminate the contract of the maids prematurely, agents will refund the placement fee ...which had been paid in advance - on a pro-rated basis.
• Employers are entitled to replacement maids at no additional cost if their maid is found medically unfit or fails to meet the Manpower Ministry's entry requirements. If maids need to be repatriated under these circumstances, agents have to bear the costs.
• In their advertisements, agents must state the service fee employers have to pay, placement fees for recruiting maids and their policies on refunds and replacements.