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Taiwan attractive option for overseas domestic workers

Fewer foreign maids are choosing to work in Singapore, with those from the Philippines and Indonesia now preferring Taiwan and Hong Kong, a survey said yesterday.

The 20 maid agencies surveyed by the Straits Times said that the higher pay and a compulsory weekly day off are key factors.

Singapore’s mandatory English entry test on hygiene and housework, as well as a minimum age of 23, are also turning some away.

Indonesian and Sri Lankan maids are paid S$280 (US$190) a month, and those from the Philippines up to S$350 (US$244).

Maids in Hong Kong and Taiwan earn about US$482 and US$524 respectively.

There are 170,000 foreign maids in Singapore, mostly from the Philippines, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

The comparatively low wages have led to a shortage of experienced maids, Peter Loh, director of Swift Arrows Maid, told the newspaper.

“They use Singapore as a [stepping stone] before going to Hong Kong and Taiwan,” he was quoted as saying. “They also try to pick up some Chinese to aid them in the future.”
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