Many of us would have a social-networking account, either on Facebook, Twitter or even Instagram and the online world has no boundaries on who we can interact with and the kind of information we receive. One local company is trying to change that as they recently launched a mobile app ‘OURSG Halo’ with the aim of creating a safe space for domestic helpers in Singapore.
Headed by its managing director Edwin Chua and chief technology officer Chak Kong Soon, the pair were disturbed when they realised that some of the helpers here were having a difficult time trying to navigate for help or feeling lost in the sea of many social networking platforms that are available online.
That is when they decided that they needed to ensure that those coming to work in Singapore feel safe and knew where to seek help should they need it.
“When we look at the way domestic helpers are treated, how desperate some of them need help. They need an easier way to reach out. So my partners and I discussed what we could do as a corporate social responsibility project to help them,” said Chua.
“We developed this app to enable them to socialise and get the right information. I see that many helpers are connected through various groups on other social media platforms. Sometimes when they try to get information from their peers, it may not be that accurate. People say what they think and it might not be right. It is important for them to get information from the right sources.”
“We want to keep this purely for the helpers, so that it is a safe environment for them to communicate with each other and get information.”
Familiarity and collaboration with NGOs
If one would install the app, they would find it oddly similar to an online social media networking platform that is used by millions around the world. But it was deliberately done that way as it would enable users to easily identify with the app.
“When I reached out to my partner Chak, he recommended a platform that is easy to navigate and many would find it familiar as it kind of looks similar to an existing social media platform. That is good as most would find it comfortable to adapt with as they would be used to it already,” explained Chua
“If you install the app you can see that you can add friends, find friends, or join groups, it is almost the same. The only thing we have enhanced in this app is we added a function button called ‘Help Me’.”
When a helper needs help, they will click on the functionality button and it will direct them to two non-governmental organisations; Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Training (FAST) and Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE).
“If they choose to seek assistance from FAST, they simply click on their icon or logo and it will go to a feedback form which they will submit directly to them. There is also a contact number for the helpers to call. For CDE, it is slightly different. There is a telephone number for you to call them, or you can leave a message which they will follow up after that,” explained Chua.
Recruitment on two fronts, and ownership for the embassy
Since their launch in July earlier this year, Chua has been actively engaging and participating in activities organised by FAST and CDE as it presents him with the opportunity to engage with the domestic helpers and introduce them to the OURSG Halo app.
“Other than reaching out to the helpers that are already in Singapore, we are also working with our partners in Indonesia, Myanmar and Cambodia so that before they arrive here, they have joined this app,” added Chua.
“We have seen an increased participation from the members. They are posting about their activities, photos and videos. But that is just the first phase of what we are trying to do. Next, we would like to get the Philippines, Myanmar and Indonesia embassies to be part of this too.”
“I have created groups such as Cambodians in Singapore, an Indonesian Embassy page, and eventually it would be good if they could take ownership of these groups and pages in the app.”
Going a step further
Chua, who also manages a domestic helper agency in Singapore, understands the onboarding processes and how tedious or stressful it can be for those coming to work here. That is why after discussing with his partner for this app project, they have sought collaboration with companies that may ease some of these problems.
“We have actually reached out to a telco and requested for sim cards to be given to our overseas partners so that the helpers have a sim card before they arrive in Singapore. This way they can activate it and register for an account on our app too,” said Chak.
“The challenge that many faced was that these helpers didn’t have a Singapore sim card when they reached here. But MOM (Ministry of Manpower) requires a Singapore sim card when you arrive. So the first couple of days are a bit hectic when MOM wants to contact them. So we want to see if we can close this loose end. To ensure that the helpers have a Singapore mobile number immediately when they are here,” added Chua.
“If they are on the app even before they start working in Singapore, they may get additional info on what is right and what is wrong, and other regulations too.”
Chua also revealed that they have a bigger and long-term plan once they have more active users on their app. They would like to get a remittance company or banks onboard so that the helpers are able to learn how to send money back in the future or open a bank account.
Both Chak and Chua hope that not only the domestic helpers register and be active on the OURSG Halo app, but companies or organisations that can be mutually beneficial play an active role too in engaging the community via the app in future.