by Esther Ng
TODAY, Sep 30, 2011
SINGAPORE - A recent media report - quoting an Indonesian official - has claimed that the Indonesian government is set to allow its citizens to work as domestic helpers in just four countries: Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
But responding to media queries, Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said yesterday in a statement that it was "unable to comment as we did not receive any official notice of this matter". "We are seeking clarifications from the Indonesian Embassy," the statement added.
The Indonesian Embassy could not be reached for comment on the report, which was first carried on Wednesday by Antara news agency. The report was picked up by Bernama.
The report quoted Indonesia's director-general of labour placement Reyna Usman, saying that the country's Manpower and Transmigration Ministry "has conducted a comprehensive evaluation of countries as destinations of Indonesian domestic helpers".
The ministry had studied the destination countries' policies on the protection of Indonesian migrant workers and the "fulfillment of their normative rights", the report quoted Mr Reyna as saying. He had added: "Based on the results of the evaluation, we have come to the conclusion that only four countries can be categorised as destinations of Indonesian domestic helpers."
However, Indonesia's Overseas Workers Placement Agency head Jumhur Hidayat told MediaCorp that what the Indonesian authorities are discussing - as part of an amended law on migrant workers - are actually plans to open representative offices in the four countries mentioned, to assist their citizens working there as domestic helpers.
Maid agencies here told Today they would be surprised if Mr Reyna's remarks were authoritative. Association of Employment Agencies (Singapore) president K Jayprema said: "We would have been informed if something major like this came up."
According to industry players, Indonesia is currently Singapore's biggest source of foreign domestic workers (FDWs). And the Republic - which is already facing a supply crunch - could face a massive shortage of FDWs if the report turns out to be accurate.
According to Ms Jayprema, out of the some 200 new FDWs who enter Singapore each day, seven in 10 are Indonesians.
Indonesian maids are popular here as many elderly who cannot speak English are able to speak Malay, JL Employment Services director Joanne Lee said. While maid agencies can turn to other sources such as the Philippines, Myanmar and India, Ms Jayprema doubts if "these countries can cope with the demand". ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SUJADI SISWO
Friday, September 30, 2011
Employers charged with over-declaring salaries
TODAY, Sep 30, 2011
SINGAPORE - Three people are facing a total of 74 charges related to the over-declaration of salaries in applications for Employment and S Passes.
This followed investigations by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) into complaints in June this year by S Pass and EP holders of two cleaning companies, TY Enterprise and Sun Blues Cleaning Maintenance.
They claimed they were made to return a portion of their salaries to their employers.
Administrative manager Thenkumari Shanmugam Packirisamy faces 27 charges for making false declarations in the salaries of the foreign workers hired by the two companies, which are under her care.
She allegedly had no intention to pay the workers their declared salaries, which were inflated to match the qualifying wage requirements set by MOM so that the workers will be issued with work passes.
For allegedly abetting the offence, Ng Mui Shee, Andy Nelson, a former staff member of licensed employment agency Star Employment, was also charged yesterday.
He faces 27 charges for intentionally aiding Thenkumari in making false salary declarations by helping to fill up the application forms for her to sign, despite knowing that the workers will be underpaid.
Tan Ah Huat, the director of the employment agency, faces 20 charges for making false declarations in the salaries of the foreign workers in 20 of these 27 applications.
This is despite knowing the workers will be underpaid. Their companies were also charged yesterday with making false salary declarations.
MOM said from January to June this year, 16 employers were prosecuted for making false declarations in Work Pass applications.
Earlier this month, an employer was convicted of abetment in making a false declaration in the salary of an S Pass holder.
The sole proprietor of Forever Sanitary Plumbing Services Ang Chiew Huat was fined S$11,000 for instructing his employment agent to over-declare the salary of his supervisor in his Work Pass application.
Ang had also submitted false salary documents when his company was under investigation by MOM and illegally deployed the S Pass holder to work in a vocation which differed from the one stated in his work permit.
Employers convicted of making a false declaration in a Work Pass application can be fined up to S$15,000 or sentenced up to 12 months' jail, or both.
SINGAPORE - Three people are facing a total of 74 charges related to the over-declaration of salaries in applications for Employment and S Passes.
This followed investigations by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) into complaints in June this year by S Pass and EP holders of two cleaning companies, TY Enterprise and Sun Blues Cleaning Maintenance.
They claimed they were made to return a portion of their salaries to their employers.
Administrative manager Thenkumari Shanmugam Packirisamy faces 27 charges for making false declarations in the salaries of the foreign workers hired by the two companies, which are under her care.
She allegedly had no intention to pay the workers their declared salaries, which were inflated to match the qualifying wage requirements set by MOM so that the workers will be issued with work passes.
For allegedly abetting the offence, Ng Mui Shee, Andy Nelson, a former staff member of licensed employment agency Star Employment, was also charged yesterday.
He faces 27 charges for intentionally aiding Thenkumari in making false salary declarations by helping to fill up the application forms for her to sign, despite knowing that the workers will be underpaid.
Tan Ah Huat, the director of the employment agency, faces 20 charges for making false declarations in the salaries of the foreign workers in 20 of these 27 applications.
This is despite knowing the workers will be underpaid. Their companies were also charged yesterday with making false salary declarations.
MOM said from January to June this year, 16 employers were prosecuted for making false declarations in Work Pass applications.
Earlier this month, an employer was convicted of abetment in making a false declaration in the salary of an S Pass holder.
The sole proprietor of Forever Sanitary Plumbing Services Ang Chiew Huat was fined S$11,000 for instructing his employment agent to over-declare the salary of his supervisor in his Work Pass application.
Ang had also submitted false salary documents when his company was under investigation by MOM and illegally deployed the S Pass holder to work in a vocation which differed from the one stated in his work permit.
Employers convicted of making a false declaration in a Work Pass application can be fined up to S$15,000 or sentenced up to 12 months' jail, or both.
Man fined for living off prostitutes' earnings
By Alvina Soh | Posted: 30 September 2011 1425 hrs
SINGAPORE: A former bar manager was fined S$8,000 on Friday for living off the earnings of his pub's performing artistes who doubled up as prostitutes.
30-year-old Balamurugan Thiyanamuthi pleaded guilty to one charge of living off the earnings of three Filipino prostitutes, and another charge of managing the trade.
The offences were committed between October last year and March this year.
The women were under his employment at Trafford Bar at 128 Arab Street.
Balamurugan told the trio who were between 22 and 29 years of age, that they were also expected to provide sexual services to customers, where half of their earnings would go toward him.
Court documents revealed that Balamurugan received between S$100 to S$1,500 each time.
He was arrested on March 29 this year.
Channel NewsAsia understands that one of the women has been sent back to the Philippines while the rest are helping with investigations in Singapore.
- CNA/ck
SINGAPORE: A former bar manager was fined S$8,000 on Friday for living off the earnings of his pub's performing artistes who doubled up as prostitutes.
30-year-old Balamurugan Thiyanamuthi pleaded guilty to one charge of living off the earnings of three Filipino prostitutes, and another charge of managing the trade.
The offences were committed between October last year and March this year.
The women were under his employment at Trafford Bar at 128 Arab Street.
Balamurugan told the trio who were between 22 and 29 years of age, that they were also expected to provide sexual services to customers, where half of their earnings would go toward him.
Court documents revealed that Balamurugan received between S$100 to S$1,500 each time.
He was arrested on March 29 this year.
Channel NewsAsia understands that one of the women has been sent back to the Philippines while the rest are helping with investigations in Singapore.
- CNA/ck
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Six employers charged with defaulting on salaries
by Alvina Soh
TODAY, Sep 28, 2011
SINGAPORE - Six employers from various industries were charged in the Subordinate Courts yesterday with not paying their workers' salaries.
A cleaning company, Service Partners, faced the most number of charges. They allegedly defaulted on salary payments and had also been making unauthorised deductions from their workers' salaries since early last year.
The company and its director, Jufri Saini, each faced 136 charges under the Employment Act.
The court heard that about 70 workers were affected and the total amount involved was more than S$67,000.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has assisted 51 workers in recovering their salary arrears, and 37 had received full compensation.
Five other employers were also charged with similar offences. These included directors and sole proprietors from the travel, telemarketing, and food and beverage sectors. The total amount of money unpaid varied between S$3,000 and S$28,000.
Two employers, including Jufri, told the court they were bankrupt. All six will be back in court next month.
It is an offence under the Employment Act for an employer not to pay salaries for work done within seven days after the salary period, or within three days from the termination of the contract of service. First-time offenders can be fined up to S$5,000 and jailed for six months. ALVINA SOH
TODAY, Sep 28, 2011
SINGAPORE - Six employers from various industries were charged in the Subordinate Courts yesterday with not paying their workers' salaries.
A cleaning company, Service Partners, faced the most number of charges. They allegedly defaulted on salary payments and had also been making unauthorised deductions from their workers' salaries since early last year.
The company and its director, Jufri Saini, each faced 136 charges under the Employment Act.
The court heard that about 70 workers were affected and the total amount involved was more than S$67,000.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has assisted 51 workers in recovering their salary arrears, and 37 had received full compensation.
Five other employers were also charged with similar offences. These included directors and sole proprietors from the travel, telemarketing, and food and beverage sectors. The total amount of money unpaid varied between S$3,000 and S$28,000.
Two employers, including Jufri, told the court they were bankrupt. All six will be back in court next month.
It is an offence under the Employment Act for an employer not to pay salaries for work done within seven days after the salary period, or within three days from the termination of the contract of service. First-time offenders can be fined up to S$5,000 and jailed for six months. ALVINA SOH
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
More fatalities at workplaces
by CHANNEL NEWSASIA
04:46 AM Sep 27, 2011
SINGAPORE - The number of workplace fatalities went up 20 per cent in the first half of the year to 30, even as the overall number of workplace injuries fell, according to the latest Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Report.
More than three quarters of the fatalities were from the usual suspects - the marine, construction and manufacturing sectors - with falling from height the most common cause, accounting for 13 cases.
The report released by the WSH Council yesterday also showed an almost three-fold increase in the number of cases of occupational diseases to 361 cases.
This was primarily due to the increased reporting of Noise-Induced Deafness related cases - mostly from the marine, construction and manufacturing sectors - which rose to 315 cases from 87 cases in the same period last year. The increase resulted from an islandwide audit exercise by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
In the meantime, the overall number of workplace injuries fell about 8 per cent to 4,775 in the first half of this year from the same time last year, with decreases in cases of permanent and temporary disablements.
Even so, workplaces "cannot afford to relax", said WSH Council chairman Lee Tzu Yang.
He noted, in particular, the new sectors accounting for 43 per cent of workplace incidents - such as offices, wholesale and retail companies - which came under the WSH Act this month.
"We can only succeed if employers want to ensure their employees' safety and take concrete measures to improve. They must make safety an integral part of operations," he said. "Employees in turn need to follow the safety rules, learn to be aware of risks and look out for each other."
MOM WSH commissioner Ho Siong Hin said the ministry will be stepping up inspections in the key sectors over the next few months, and will not hesitate to impose stiff penalties where necessary.
04:46 AM Sep 27, 2011
SINGAPORE - The number of workplace fatalities went up 20 per cent in the first half of the year to 30, even as the overall number of workplace injuries fell, according to the latest Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Report.
More than three quarters of the fatalities were from the usual suspects - the marine, construction and manufacturing sectors - with falling from height the most common cause, accounting for 13 cases.
The report released by the WSH Council yesterday also showed an almost three-fold increase in the number of cases of occupational diseases to 361 cases.
This was primarily due to the increased reporting of Noise-Induced Deafness related cases - mostly from the marine, construction and manufacturing sectors - which rose to 315 cases from 87 cases in the same period last year. The increase resulted from an islandwide audit exercise by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
In the meantime, the overall number of workplace injuries fell about 8 per cent to 4,775 in the first half of this year from the same time last year, with decreases in cases of permanent and temporary disablements.
Even so, workplaces "cannot afford to relax", said WSH Council chairman Lee Tzu Yang.
He noted, in particular, the new sectors accounting for 43 per cent of workplace incidents - such as offices, wholesale and retail companies - which came under the WSH Act this month.
"We can only succeed if employers want to ensure their employees' safety and take concrete measures to improve. They must make safety an integral part of operations," he said. "Employees in turn need to follow the safety rules, learn to be aware of risks and look out for each other."
MOM WSH commissioner Ho Siong Hin said the ministry will be stepping up inspections in the key sectors over the next few months, and will not hesitate to impose stiff penalties where necessary.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Elderly woman finds maid hanged in home
AsiaOne
Monday, Sep 26, 2011
SINGAPORE - An 87-year-old woman made a shocking discovery when she came home to find her maid's lifeless body hanging in a bedroom at home.
The incident happened at block 414 of Pandan Gardens, on Saturday morning.
According to the Shin Min Daily, the elderly lady had returned home at about 11am after her morning walk. She found the 35-year-old, a Myanmarese, hanging from a nylon string in her daughter-in-law's room.
The woman hurriedly used a knife to free her, but it was too late.
According to neighbours, the maid had worked at the home for more than two years. The elderly woman lived with her younger son, daughter-in-law, and a 10-year-old grandson.
They were not at home at the time of the incident.
A neighbour told the Chinese daily she heard the elderly woman's screams as she ran out of the house, calling for help.
The neighbour had to hold on to her as she had trouble walking and stumbled a few times.
According to the neighbour, she saw the maid accompanying the elderly lady downstairs for her daily morning walk as usual that day, and did not notice anything out of the ordinary.
She added that the woman treated the maid "like a daughter", and the family had been staying at the estate for more than 20 years.
The woman's daughter declined the reporter's request to interview her mother, saying she is still in shock over the incident.
URL: http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20110926-301635.html
Monday, Sep 26, 2011
SINGAPORE - An 87-year-old woman made a shocking discovery when she came home to find her maid's lifeless body hanging in a bedroom at home.
The incident happened at block 414 of Pandan Gardens, on Saturday morning.
According to the Shin Min Daily, the elderly lady had returned home at about 11am after her morning walk. She found the 35-year-old, a Myanmarese, hanging from a nylon string in her daughter-in-law's room.
The woman hurriedly used a knife to free her, but it was too late.
According to neighbours, the maid had worked at the home for more than two years. The elderly woman lived with her younger son, daughter-in-law, and a 10-year-old grandson.
They were not at home at the time of the incident.
A neighbour told the Chinese daily she heard the elderly woman's screams as she ran out of the house, calling for help.
The neighbour had to hold on to her as she had trouble walking and stumbled a few times.
According to the neighbour, she saw the maid accompanying the elderly lady downstairs for her daily morning walk as usual that day, and did not notice anything out of the ordinary.
She added that the woman treated the maid "like a daughter", and the family had been staying at the estate for more than 20 years.
The woman's daughter declined the reporter's request to interview her mother, saying she is still in shock over the incident.
URL: http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20110926-301635.html
No room for complacency as workplace fatalities rose in first half of 2011
The following press release was published by the MOM on 26 September 2011.
No room for complacency as workplace fatalities rose in first half of 2011
MOM & WSHC urge employers and workers to put safety first
26 September 2011
1. The first half of this year saw an increase in number of workplace fatalities and occupational diseases1 compared to the same period last year, according to the latest Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Report released by the WSH Council. However, the overall number of workplace injuries2 fell by 8% and permanent disablements fell by 37%.
# More NID cases reported following MOM audit exercise
# The Report highlighted that the number of occupational diseases went up from 124 in 2010 to 361 in 2011, primarily due to the increased reporting of Noise-Induced Deafness (NID) related cases. More NID cases were reported following an island-wide audit exercise by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM)3. The audit checked on the noise levels of these companies and the hearing of their workers. Of the 315 NID cases reported, only one was in the advanced stage. The other 314 cases are in their early stages. Excluding NID cases, the number of occupational diseases in the first half of 2011 was 46 compared to 37 over the same period last year.
# Workers affected can take measures to protect their hearing and prevent further deterioration. The WSH Council have developed materials to assist employers of workers who may be exposed to noisy work environments. Companies are urged to use these materials to develop a comprehensive Hearing Conservation Programme. This will include putting in measures to reduce the noise levels, provide hearing protection to workers and conduct annual checks of their hearing to identify cases early and take intervention measures. More information on NID and its prevention is on the WSHC website (www.wshc.sg/nid).
Traditional sectors account for most serious injury cases New sectors account for 43% of temporary disablement cases
# Between January and June 2011, the number of workplace fatalities increased to 30 from 25 in 2010. 77% of fatalities came from the three traditional sectors – Marine, Construction and Manufacturing. These sectors also accounted for about 78% of permanent disablements and occupational diseases. However, in terms of less serious injuries or temporary disablements4 (TD), they account for about 41% of 4,697 cases.
# Another 43% of TD cases (or 1,997 cases) were from the new sectors that are covered under the WSH Act from 1 Sept 2011. Incidents include employees tripping in cluttered work areas and sustaining injuries or being struck by heavy objects while retrieving them from shelves. These incidents can be easily prevented through simple risk control measures. It is important that companies in these sectors do their part and put in better measures to prevent workplace incidents.
# Chairman of the WSH Council Lee Tzu Yang on the Report, “Although the number of workplace injuries has been declining by 5% to 8% over the last two years, we can see that we cannot afford to relax. Despite the drop in overall injuries, workplace fatalities have increased this half year. Any workplace incident has the potential of resulting in an injury or a fatality, so our goal must be to prevent all workplace incidents. The Council is committed to getting everyone on board, and we can only succeed if employers want to ensure their employees’ safety and take concrete measures to improve. They must make safety an integral part of operations. Employees in turn need to follow the safety rules, learn to be aware of risks and look out for each other. Everyone must put safety first, and I include offices, wholesale and retail companies, which form part of the new sectors5 that account for 40% of workplace incidents.”
Enhanced ProBE initiatives to improve safety in key areas
# Besides efforts to engage the new sectors, MOM and the WSH Council will also continue to enhance WSH standards in the traditional sectors. The top causes of workplace fatalities in these sectors that are identified under Programme-based Engagement (ProBE) Plus Priority Areas6 include:
# Responding to the Report, MOM WSH Commissioner, Mr Ho Siong Hin said, “MOM investigations show that many of the workplace accidents could have been avoided if safety and health risks were identified and steps taken to mitigate such risks early. The Ministry reminds employers not to be complacent and encourages them to press on with their on-going efforts to make work processes safer. Doing so will prevent workplace incidents and injuries, and more importantly save lives. At the same time, businesses will have minimal impact on their overall business productivity. MOM will be stepping up inspections in the key sectors over the next few months, and will not hesitate to impose stiff penalties, where necessary.”
# Industry stakeholders who want to find out more information about the WSH statistics and the above initiatives can check the WSH Council website (www.wshc.sg).
For the full press release, including tables, links and Annexes, please log on to: http://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/Pages/PressReleasesDetail.aspx?listid=386
No room for complacency as workplace fatalities rose in first half of 2011
MOM & WSHC urge employers and workers to put safety first
26 September 2011
1. The first half of this year saw an increase in number of workplace fatalities and occupational diseases1 compared to the same period last year, according to the latest Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Report released by the WSH Council. However, the overall number of workplace injuries2 fell by 8% and permanent disablements fell by 37%.
# More NID cases reported following MOM audit exercise
# The Report highlighted that the number of occupational diseases went up from 124 in 2010 to 361 in 2011, primarily due to the increased reporting of Noise-Induced Deafness (NID) related cases. More NID cases were reported following an island-wide audit exercise by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM)3. The audit checked on the noise levels of these companies and the hearing of their workers. Of the 315 NID cases reported, only one was in the advanced stage. The other 314 cases are in their early stages. Excluding NID cases, the number of occupational diseases in the first half of 2011 was 46 compared to 37 over the same period last year.
# Workers affected can take measures to protect their hearing and prevent further deterioration. The WSH Council have developed materials to assist employers of workers who may be exposed to noisy work environments. Companies are urged to use these materials to develop a comprehensive Hearing Conservation Programme. This will include putting in measures to reduce the noise levels, provide hearing protection to workers and conduct annual checks of their hearing to identify cases early and take intervention measures. More information on NID and its prevention is on the WSHC website (www.wshc.sg/nid).
Traditional sectors account for most serious injury cases New sectors account for 43% of temporary disablement cases
# Between January and June 2011, the number of workplace fatalities increased to 30 from 25 in 2010. 77% of fatalities came from the three traditional sectors – Marine, Construction and Manufacturing. These sectors also accounted for about 78% of permanent disablements and occupational diseases. However, in terms of less serious injuries or temporary disablements4 (TD), they account for about 41% of 4,697 cases.
# Another 43% of TD cases (or 1,997 cases) were from the new sectors that are covered under the WSH Act from 1 Sept 2011. Incidents include employees tripping in cluttered work areas and sustaining injuries or being struck by heavy objects while retrieving them from shelves. These incidents can be easily prevented through simple risk control measures. It is important that companies in these sectors do their part and put in better measures to prevent workplace incidents.
# Chairman of the WSH Council Lee Tzu Yang on the Report, “Although the number of workplace injuries has been declining by 5% to 8% over the last two years, we can see that we cannot afford to relax. Despite the drop in overall injuries, workplace fatalities have increased this half year. Any workplace incident has the potential of resulting in an injury or a fatality, so our goal must be to prevent all workplace incidents. The Council is committed to getting everyone on board, and we can only succeed if employers want to ensure their employees’ safety and take concrete measures to improve. They must make safety an integral part of operations. Employees in turn need to follow the safety rules, learn to be aware of risks and look out for each other. Everyone must put safety first, and I include offices, wholesale and retail companies, which form part of the new sectors5 that account for 40% of workplace incidents.”
Enhanced ProBE initiatives to improve safety in key areas
# Besides efforts to engage the new sectors, MOM and the WSH Council will also continue to enhance WSH standards in the traditional sectors. The top causes of workplace fatalities in these sectors that are identified under Programme-based Engagement (ProBE) Plus Priority Areas6 include:
# Responding to the Report, MOM WSH Commissioner, Mr Ho Siong Hin said, “MOM investigations show that many of the workplace accidents could have been avoided if safety and health risks were identified and steps taken to mitigate such risks early. The Ministry reminds employers not to be complacent and encourages them to press on with their on-going efforts to make work processes safer. Doing so will prevent workplace incidents and injuries, and more importantly save lives. At the same time, businesses will have minimal impact on their overall business productivity. MOM will be stepping up inspections in the key sectors over the next few months, and will not hesitate to impose stiff penalties, where necessary.”
# Industry stakeholders who want to find out more information about the WSH statistics and the above initiatives can check the WSH Council website (www.wshc.sg).
For the full press release, including tables, links and Annexes, please log on to: http://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/Pages/PressReleasesDetail.aspx?listid=386
More workplace deaths in the first half of the year
Monday, Sep 26, 2011
AsiaOne
Workplace fatalities increased slightly over the first half of the year as compared to the same period last year, according to the latest Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Report released by the WSH Council.
From 25 during the first half of 2010, 30 fatalities were recorded from January to June 2011. Fall from height remained the leading type of incident since 2006, which resulted in 13 fatalities, followed by being struck by moving objects, which killed five. Three fatalities were attributed to being struck by a falling object caused by a collapse or failure of structure and equipment.
Other causes of death are being caught in/between objects, fires and explosions, crane-related accidents, electrocution, and oxygen deficiency in a confined space.
77 per cent of fatalities came from the three traditional sectors - Marine, Construction and Manufacturing. These sectors also accounted for about 78 per cent of permanent disablements and occupational diseases. However, in terms of less serious injuries or temporary disablements (TD), they account for about 41 per cent of 4,697 cases.
Meanwhile, the overall number of workplace injuries fell by 8 per cent and permanent disablements fell by 37 per cent. Some 43 per cent of temporary disablements, which decreased slightly, include incidents like employees tripping in cluttered work areas and sustaining injuries or being struck by heavy objects while retrieving them from shelves.
Chairman of the WSH Council Lee Tzu Yang on the Report, "Although the number of workplace injuries has been declining by 5 per cent to 8 per cent over the last two years, we can see that we cannot afford to relax. ... The Council is committed to getting everyone on board, and we can only succeed if employers want to ensure their employees' safety and take concrete measures to improve."
He added: "Employees in turn need to follow the safety rules, learn to be aware of risks and look out for each other. Everyone must put safety first, and I include offices, wholesale and retail companies, which form part of the new sectors that account for 40 per cent of workplace incidents."
The number of occupational diseases went up from 124 in 2010 to 361 in 2011, primarily due to the increased reporting of Noise-Induced Deafness (NID) related cases. More NID cases were reported following an island-wide audit exercise by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
Of the 315 NID cases reported, only one was in the advanced stage. The other 314 cases are in their early stages. Excluding NID cases, the number of occupational diseases in the first half of 2011 was 46 compared to 37 over the same period last year.
In response to this, the WSH Council has developed materials to assist employers of workers who may be exposed to noisy work environments.
Responding to the report, MOM WSH Commissioner, Mr Ho Siong Hin said, "MOM will be stepping up inspections in the key sectors over the next few months, and will not hesitate to impose stiff penalties, where necessary."
URL: http://business.asiaone.com/Business/News/Office/Story/A1Story20110926-301594.html
AsiaOne
Workplace fatalities increased slightly over the first half of the year as compared to the same period last year, according to the latest Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Report released by the WSH Council.
From 25 during the first half of 2010, 30 fatalities were recorded from January to June 2011. Fall from height remained the leading type of incident since 2006, which resulted in 13 fatalities, followed by being struck by moving objects, which killed five. Three fatalities were attributed to being struck by a falling object caused by a collapse or failure of structure and equipment.
Other causes of death are being caught in/between objects, fires and explosions, crane-related accidents, electrocution, and oxygen deficiency in a confined space.
77 per cent of fatalities came from the three traditional sectors - Marine, Construction and Manufacturing. These sectors also accounted for about 78 per cent of permanent disablements and occupational diseases. However, in terms of less serious injuries or temporary disablements (TD), they account for about 41 per cent of 4,697 cases.
Meanwhile, the overall number of workplace injuries fell by 8 per cent and permanent disablements fell by 37 per cent. Some 43 per cent of temporary disablements, which decreased slightly, include incidents like employees tripping in cluttered work areas and sustaining injuries or being struck by heavy objects while retrieving them from shelves.
Chairman of the WSH Council Lee Tzu Yang on the Report, "Although the number of workplace injuries has been declining by 5 per cent to 8 per cent over the last two years, we can see that we cannot afford to relax. ... The Council is committed to getting everyone on board, and we can only succeed if employers want to ensure their employees' safety and take concrete measures to improve."
He added: "Employees in turn need to follow the safety rules, learn to be aware of risks and look out for each other. Everyone must put safety first, and I include offices, wholesale and retail companies, which form part of the new sectors that account for 40 per cent of workplace incidents."
The number of occupational diseases went up from 124 in 2010 to 361 in 2011, primarily due to the increased reporting of Noise-Induced Deafness (NID) related cases. More NID cases were reported following an island-wide audit exercise by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
Of the 315 NID cases reported, only one was in the advanced stage. The other 314 cases are in their early stages. Excluding NID cases, the number of occupational diseases in the first half of 2011 was 46 compared to 37 over the same period last year.
In response to this, the WSH Council has developed materials to assist employers of workers who may be exposed to noisy work environments.
Responding to the report, MOM WSH Commissioner, Mr Ho Siong Hin said, "MOM will be stepping up inspections in the key sectors over the next few months, and will not hesitate to impose stiff penalties, where necessary."
URL: http://business.asiaone.com/Business/News/Office/Story/A1Story20110926-301594.html
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Employers asked to remove CCTVs from maids' rooms
AsiaOne
Tuesday, Sep 13, 2011
Two employers have been asked to remove closed-circuit television systems (CCTVs) from their domestic helpers' rooms.
A maid had posted a comment on the Ministry of Manpower's (MOM) Facebook page asking whether it was right for her employers to install a CCTV camera in her room.
This prompted a reply from another maid who said she faced a similar situation at her employer's home.
The ministry told The Straits Times that it had contacted both maids and their employers, who agreed to remove the cameras from the bedrooms. It also urged employers to respect their maids' privacy.
Lawyers said employers can install cameras in bedrooms and toilets because of the lack of privacy laws in Singapore.
However, maids can argue that there was intention to insult their modesty as these are private areas where they are likely to undress, according to a lawyer interviewed by The Straits Times.
Employers may also infringe on other laws if they keep the video clips or show them to others.
The English daily also reported that although installing CCTVs is not new, there has been a spike in sales of CCTVs by vendors recently.
This could be due to the fall in prices, as well as the ease of viewing video footage while on the go.
Vendors told The Straits Times that clients use CCTVs to prevent maids from abusing family members such as babies or to ensure no strangers enter their homes.
Employers also use footage as evidence when misunderstandings occur.
There have been recent concerns over theft by maids. Two cases involved sums of $84,000 and $26,000.
Another maid was charged with stealing $400,000 in cash and jewellery from her employer earlier this month.
URL: http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20110913-299216.html
Tuesday, Sep 13, 2011
Two employers have been asked to remove closed-circuit television systems (CCTVs) from their domestic helpers' rooms.
A maid had posted a comment on the Ministry of Manpower's (MOM) Facebook page asking whether it was right for her employers to install a CCTV camera in her room.
This prompted a reply from another maid who said she faced a similar situation at her employer's home.
The ministry told The Straits Times that it had contacted both maids and their employers, who agreed to remove the cameras from the bedrooms. It also urged employers to respect their maids' privacy.
Lawyers said employers can install cameras in bedrooms and toilets because of the lack of privacy laws in Singapore.
However, maids can argue that there was intention to insult their modesty as these are private areas where they are likely to undress, according to a lawyer interviewed by The Straits Times.
Employers may also infringe on other laws if they keep the video clips or show them to others.
The English daily also reported that although installing CCTVs is not new, there has been a spike in sales of CCTVs by vendors recently.
This could be due to the fall in prices, as well as the ease of viewing video footage while on the go.
Vendors told The Straits Times that clients use CCTVs to prevent maids from abusing family members such as babies or to ensure no strangers enter their homes.
Employers also use footage as evidence when misunderstandings occur.
There have been recent concerns over theft by maids. Two cases involved sums of $84,000 and $26,000.
Another maid was charged with stealing $400,000 in cash and jewellery from her employer earlier this month.
URL: http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20110913-299216.html
Judge reduces jail term for maid who abused child
By Ng Jing Yng, TODAY | Posted: 13 September 2011 1654 hrs
SINGAPORE: A frustrated Indonesian maid repeatedly slapped a one-year-old child under her care, threw her onto a mattress and even tried to smother the child's cries.
Desi Kurnia, 17, was initially jailed 33 months for abusing the child.
But the underaged domestic helper appealed in the High Court, and on Tuesday, succeeded in having it reduced to 24 months.
High Court judge, V K Rajah, said this was a difficult case to preside over, especially when dealing with a 17-year-old.
Desi had claimed she was 25 to her employers.
Justice Rajah said: "While her conduct...is completely unacceptable, it seems to show that she did not deliberately set out to hurt the child. She was unable to cope with the situation and reacted inappropriately."
The court also heard that besides having to care for the child and her older sibling, Desi also had to cope with household chores.
During the hearing, closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of the child being abused was aired.
Three clips were shown, each lasting less than a minute.
Desi was seen beating the girl after failed attempts to soothe her cries.
The incidents took place between November and December 2009.
CCTV footage also showed Desi trying to comfort the child but she looked visibly frustrated when she could not do so.
Justice Rajah said this case was a matter of public interest as a young child had been abused.
He added that child abuse offences ought to be treated seriously and for adult offenders, the sentencing would have been much heavier.
Earlier, Justice Rajah noted that Desi had switched two employers over a short period previously and pointed out that there was no responsibility on the agents' part to disclose the maid's employment history to new employers.
- TODAY/cc
SINGAPORE: A frustrated Indonesian maid repeatedly slapped a one-year-old child under her care, threw her onto a mattress and even tried to smother the child's cries.
Desi Kurnia, 17, was initially jailed 33 months for abusing the child.
But the underaged domestic helper appealed in the High Court, and on Tuesday, succeeded in having it reduced to 24 months.
High Court judge, V K Rajah, said this was a difficult case to preside over, especially when dealing with a 17-year-old.
Desi had claimed she was 25 to her employers.
Justice Rajah said: "While her conduct...is completely unacceptable, it seems to show that she did not deliberately set out to hurt the child. She was unable to cope with the situation and reacted inappropriately."
The court also heard that besides having to care for the child and her older sibling, Desi also had to cope with household chores.
During the hearing, closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of the child being abused was aired.
Three clips were shown, each lasting less than a minute.
Desi was seen beating the girl after failed attempts to soothe her cries.
The incidents took place between November and December 2009.
CCTV footage also showed Desi trying to comfort the child but she looked visibly frustrated when she could not do so.
Justice Rajah said this case was a matter of public interest as a young child had been abused.
He added that child abuse offences ought to be treated seriously and for adult offenders, the sentencing would have been much heavier.
Earlier, Justice Rajah noted that Desi had switched two employers over a short period previously and pointed out that there was no responsibility on the agents' part to disclose the maid's employment history to new employers.
- TODAY/cc
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