Skill Training Program for Foreign Domestic Workers in Singapore

Familiar language and conversations were heard all around Lucky Plaza this Sunday. Well, no wonder.. It's the Foreign Domestic Worker's (FDWs) day-off in Singapore and many of the Indonesian FDWs are known to be headquartered in Lucky Plaza.

In 2012, the Singaporean government introduced a new regulation that gives FDWs in Singapore a weekly day off. Simply means during a week you need to have a rest day. It could be any day but there seems to be a common convention that this falls on Sunday.

Many FDWs, not only those coming from Indonesia, choose to spend their day off to hang out and meet their fellows.. or their lovers >_< . They dress up and put make-up on and crowds many places such as shopping malls and parks. They go on picnic and share stories with their friends. Well, that seems nice.

However, they can also spend it in a more thoughtful and productive way. That's what training program for FDWs are all about. More and more institutions in Singapore now provide skill training program for FDWs. It could ranges from cooking, computer operation, quilting, and now they even have business school for FDWs.

The purpose of these course is of course to give the FDWs a new skill (or enhance if they already acquire some previously) that they can use when they go back home. That's why during the classes, the tutors also take time to give motivation to these FDWs.

Based on the research, almost 70 percent of FDWs in Singapore wanted to renew their contracts and come back here to continue being FDWs. Well that makes a lot of sense because they generally get good living here. The employers generally treat them well and the payroll wasn't too bad (compared to their home country's standard).

Leaving the status quo and make betterment in life is certainly not easy especially for these (usually) young ladies. But empowering them through skill training program hoping that they are motivated to change their life isn't a waste of time.

Success stories are there. Hope many more follows!

Below is the infographic I made to give an overview about FDWs in Singapore :)