Some 15 employers caught annually breaching safety standards for helpers cleaning windows: MOM
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In the last decade, the Ministry of Manpower has taken enforcement actions against six employers whose negligence led to their domestic helpers falling from height.
ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
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- Recent parliamentary questions arose after a domestic worker's death, with MPs asking about window cleaning safety regulations and enforcement.
- The Ministry of Manpower reports an average of 15 employers yearly from 2015 to 2024 face action for unsafe window cleaning practices, up from 12 between 2016 and 2020.
- Employers must attend safety programmes, sign agreements, and can face fines, jail, or bans for breaches; helplines offer MDW support.
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SINGAPORE – Between 2015 and 2024, an average of 15 employers each year faced enforcement actions for failing to comply with safety standards regarding window cleaning by their migrant domestic workers (MDWs).
This was up from an average of 12 people a year taken to task between 2016 and 2020
The latest figures were revealed by Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng in a written parliamentary reply on Oct 14 to questions from labour MPs Melvin Yong (Radin Mas) and Wan Rizal Wan Zakariah (Jalan Besar GRC).
On Sept 25, a 39-year-old domestic worker was found dead at the foot of a Toa Payoh HDB block. is investigating her death
In another incident in March 2021, a 26-year-old Indonesian maid died in hospital
Mr Yong asked whether safety measures needed to be stepped up to prevent such accidents from happening, while Dr Wan Rizal asked if the current rules on MDWs cleaning household windows were adequate.
Mr Yong also asked about the annual number of workplace fatalities and injuries among MDWs arising from high-rise cleaning of windows, in each of the past 10 years.
In response, Dr Tan said that in the last decade, MOM has taken enforcement actions against six employers whose negligence led to their MDWs falling from height.
“We will continue to monitor such incidents and step up education and enforcement if necessary,” said Dr Tan.
According to existing regulations, employers are not allowed to let their domestic helpers clean the exterior of windows unless strict safety conditions are met.
An employer or adult representative must be present to supervise the domestic worker. Window grilles must be installed and locked at all times during the cleaning.
Employers who breach these requirements can be fined up to $10,000, jailed for up to 12 months, or both. They can also be barred from employing a domestic helper in future.
The rules were introduced in 2012 following the deaths of five domestic workers while cleaning windows between January and June that year.
On the enforcement actions between 2016 and 2020, MOM had said previously that those implicated included employers and their household members.
The ministry added that they were warned, issued with composition fines or prosecuted, depending on the severity of the case.
Dr Tan said all first-time employers and MDWs have to attend mandatory orientation programmes covering essential safety practices, including window cleaning.
Employers are required to sign a safety agreement with their MDWs to ensure that they will comply with the relevant restrictions, added the minister.
He said MOM also disseminates reminders to employers on safe work environments, and that MDWs who need assistance can contact helplines operated by MOM and non-governmental organisations, such as the Centre for Domestic Employees, for support in their native languages.
Helplines:
MOM’s MDW Helpline: 1800-339-5505
Fast Helpline Support: 1800-339-4357
CDE 24-hour Helpline: 1800-2255-233
Home’s hotline for domestic workers: 9787-3122 or 1800-7977-977
For employers whose domestic workers are residing with Home: 6344-0224 / 6344-0232 / 6345-6441
