Assisting domestic helpers to integrate to the local culture in Singapore

 Statistic have shown that one in every six houses have a domestic helper.

This article reflects the working experience of a domestic helper in Singapore. Many Singaporeans mentioned about the overcrowding of domestic helpers every Sunday in Orchard. Many complained about the noise pollution and stated that these group of people are the cause of congestion in the town area. However, we failed to see the picture from the viewpoint of these migrant workers.

Davy works as a domestic help in Singapore, working from 7a.m. to 10 p.m. However, her 'real work' only starts from 10p.m. to 1 a.m. She served as a facto counsellor to domestic helper from any nationality. She would educate her fellow comrades to use contraceptive measures and make their time fulfilling by providing them with computer lessons. This form of emotional support is important to these migrant workers.

Employers of domestic helpers should be sensitive to the emotional struggles of their employees. The fear of new environment and uncertainties, and the loneliness from being away from home. It is essential for the employers to assist their domestic helper to get familiarise with our local culture and see the need to integrate skills and expertise to their domestic helpers so as to prepare them for the working society when they return to their country.


References

Hodal (2011). Day in the life of a migrant worker in Singapore. In Davy, 41, domestic worker from the Philippines. Retrieved on January 27, 2012 from http://travel.cnn.com/singapore/life/day-life-migrant-worker-singapore-584560