EditorialRethink needed on job-hopping helpers

The pandemic played havoc with the supply of domestic helpers, creating problems for many maids and the families who rely on them. Life may be returning to normal, but not quite under government proposals to amend the code of practice for employment agencies.

The shortage during the pandemic made it a helpers’ market, in which they were able to break standard two-year contracts and change jobs for better pay and conditions elsewhere.

Employers prepared to pay more and employment agencies were complicit. It was an example of free competition in a heavily regulated market.

The government’s amendments require employment agencies to ensure helpers understand a change of employers would be approved only in exceptional circumstances. They would also be forbidden to offer monetary incentives to change jobs.

Helpers who wanted to change an employer within the two years would have to return to their home country and restart the application process.

Some lawmakers are not satisfied with proposed verbal warnings to agencies or loss of licence, calling for them to be fined or held criminally liable. Advocates for domestic helpers say they should have equal rights with other workers – including other migrants – to escape bad employment conditions or change jobs for better ones.