More Singapore employers helping maids address mental health issues

Agencies that assist domestic workers have noticed more employers seeking help for their maids' mental well-being.

- Gracia Yap

They said this is a welcome sign, as it shows Singapore employers are becoming more compassionate and aware of the importance of ensuring their maids are happy at work.

Mr Subhash Pritmani, chief executive officer of Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Training (Fast), recently observed that employers were more proactive, noticing changes in their domestic workers' behaviour.

Fast's senior executive for social support, Ms Sharon Rogers, said more employers have called the agency to ask how to help their maids.

She said: "We encourage it because domestic workers themselves might not notice their own signs of distress. These include them crying, being absorbed in their thoughts and being more absent-minded." She said one employer noticed her maid of over a decade was listless.

Said Ms Rogers: "The employer called Fast, who arranged for counselling sessions, and she felt better after attending them." The Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE) has observed more employers bringing their domestic workers to its events to improve morale.

Mr Michael Lim, director of the Migrant Workers' Segment at the National Trades Union Congress, who oversees the CDE, said employers sometimes accompany their domestic workers for their activities.