SINGAPORE: The head of the Catholic Church in Singapore is calling for a rest day every week for domestic workers, the latest in a chorus of voices here urging for time off for maids.
Addressing the 200,000 local Catholic population to mark the World Day of Migrants on Oct 30, Archbishop Nicholas Chia noted that some employers here may not trust their helpers, feeling they would "get into trouble" if given time off.
Employers may also feel they cannot cope without help to take care of a child or elderly parent, he said.
But
in the message published on the archdiocese's website, he called for
respect for one another, especially for those living under the same
roof.
"If you enjoy having a day off during the week, would it
not follow that your domestic helper would also enjoy and appreciate
this 'luxury'?" he said.
He pointed out that while one in six
families employs a domestic helper in Singapore, only 53 per cent of
maids receive one day off per month, and about 12 per cent give their
helpers one day off per week.
Archbishop Chia said migrant
workers must be paid fair wages, given adequate food and ample time to
rest each day, and the ability to reunite with their families on a
regular basis.
He also called for the "disturbing trend" of foreign wife abuse and trafficking of women and children in Singapore to stop.
In
June, Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports
Halimah Yacob said Singapore should consider legislation requiring
employers to give their domestic helpers a rest day every week, to help
reduce issues such as stress and overwork that domestic workers are
facing.
-- TODAY
Probably the catholic churches should oblige by providing childcare during mass.
What's so disturbing about foreign wife abuse? These wives marry a DOM and don't come in as equals and they fuckin know it.
Secondly, by prohibiting contraception...
yes..................let maids rest on Sunday...................
so can go church and pay tithes.............or taxes...................
Everyone needs rest, Be it humans, machines or buses.
he come look after my mother for the other 3 off days?
Originally posted by Susanteo2011:
yes..................let maids rest on Sunday...................
so can go church and pay tithes.............or taxes...................
Catholics don't pay tithes FYI