All over the Singapore newspapers and news stations is the story of Sulastri Wardoyo, an Indonesian maid who allegedly failed an "entry test" that Singapore requires for any foreign domestic workers (called "FDW"). Ms. Wardoyo is said to have then committed suicide after failing the test (three times). The test consists of literacy and numeracy questions. In order to be allowed to stay in the country and work as a domestic helper, the test must be passed within three days of entry into the country.
MOM (Ministry of Manpower) in Singapore has since been requested to review the effectiveness and legiticmacy of the test (what I'm not sure of is WHO is calling for them to review the test and if they are required to publish their results).
MOM claims that they have run this test without incident or issue for the past six years AND boast a 95% success rate. However, maid agencies in Singapore disagree and say that most maids they talk to, express difficulties with the test and that the failure rate is more like 50%.
While the test was initially started to improve the quality of domestic help, it has extended to now include English language proficiency and numeracy ability.
Several people were quoted in the past couple of days as being concerned as to whether the employers HIRING these domestic workers were even concerned with the ability to pass this test ... and many think that the emphasis should instead be on a short series of workshops and classes instead of a pass or fail test.
If there was clarity on what exactly the test TESTED, then maybe it could better be discussed whether the test is necessary.
Just so you are as informed as I am (which isn't MUCH, as I didn't have as much time as I would have liked to research this topic), the website for the MOM test is HERE .... and some of the images from the test (a sample test) are below (taken from their website).
I don't know about you, but it sure seems that these are all valid questions. All things that I would like to be reassured that someone knows before I employ them? Keeping in mind that at its most basic, this is a JOB ... between an employee and an employer. In almost ANY other situation, there would most definitely be an aptitude test, a writing test or something similar being administrated before any hiring takes place. Why is there such a stigma attached to how household help is hired?
Maybe the answer is ... since they provide sample tests on the website ... for an organization to start providing pre-test classes and workshops FOR the test. That way the concept of having passed the test still remains, yet those taking the test are best prepared?
What do you guys think? Especially those of you who have lived in a country where hiring a domestic worker is commonplace (whether as a nanny, housekeeper, cook, etc.).
Do you think there should be a mandatory test before one is able to be hired? Should such a test only apply to those coming into the country as a foreigner looking for work?
Should this be a government run test, or should it be a private corporation that oversees and monitors the testing?
What say you?
