Singapore — In Parliament on Tuesday (Oct 6) Manpower Minister Tan See Leng said that more foreign domestic workers will be allowed entry into the country from Nov 1, provided that they are vaccinated.
Workers’ Party MP Dennis Tan (Hougang SMC) had brought up the issue of the waiting time of Singaporean families with critical caregiving needs who have been waiting to hire a domestic helper, asking if the government is taking “urgent steps” to address this.
In a written reply, the Manpower Minister said that starting from Oct 15, new entry applications for foreign domestic workers who have been vaccinated will be accepted.
Dr Tan said that the families who have challenging caregiving needs, such as ill and elderly family members, would be given priority.
However, there is still a significant time lag for domestic workers to enter Singapore, but this could change as the pandemic situation gets better.
“As entry approvals continue to be limited for public health reasons, it could take around three to six months before their migrant domestic workers can enter, depending on the Covid-19 situation at source and locally.
If the situation improves in the region, we can approve more to enter.”
For the domestic helpless whose approval was postponed in May, MOM has taken steps for them to come to Singapore before 2021 ends.
Dr Tan also mentioned the pilot programme launched by the Association of Employment Agencies Singapore (AEAS) in July that implemented additional safe management measures even before the helpers leave their countries of origin.
Under this programme, helpers from the Philippines and Indonesia have been able to enter Singapore.
Households with urgent needs may tap AEAS’ programme, he added, which is looking to expand.
“The AEAS and its partner employment agencies are doing their best to scale up the pilot, as well as to expand the programme to include migrant domestic workers from other countries.
However, they will need time to find suitable business partners to facilitate the ground processes in overseas countries and ensure that it remains effective at minimising importation risk.”
The programme, to which almost 70 employment agencies signed up, requires the helpers to be subject to several Covid-19 tests within a 14-day period at isolation facilities in their countries of origin before they are allowed to fly to Singapore.
Once they arrive, they will observe another 14-day stay-home notice (SHN) as well as additional Covid tests and safe management measures.
Households who wish to employ the domestic workers under the pilot programme will be asked to pay for their tests in their home countries, as well as their onboarding. /TISG