The incident Mr Kumar Pillay Thangavalu observed in a clinic, and which he mentioned in his letter (Treat foreign workers with respect; March 2), is just one example of the prejudice and discrimination in Singapore against foreign workers.

Each and every one of the workers is in Singapore because our companies and households requested and acquired their services.

They work in the manufacturing, construction and service sectors, and as domestic helpers, doing jobs that locals would not do, and for lower salaries, on top of that.

In Singapore households, many parents would have to find other ways of looking after their children and elderly if no domestic helpers were available. We are dependent on them.

We should weed out any prejudice and discrimination against foreign workers and, instead, accord them mutual respect and care.

Seah Seng Choon

President

Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support & Training