• Following Singapore’s rapid economic development, a huge demand for manpower emerged in all sectors. As more women choose to remain in the workforce after marriage, there was an increase in demand for domestic help.
• ƒIn the 1960s, this demand was initially met by workers from neighbouring countries like Malaysia and Indonesia.
• In 1978, the Singapore Government implemented the Foreign Maids Scheme. One important objective was to encourage Singaporean women to remain in the workforce.
• Meanwhile, during the 1970s, the Philippine government was encouraging Filipinos to seek employment outside the country. These workers were hailed as role models because they were willing make
  personal sacrifices for the sake of their country’s economy. By the end of the 1970s, many Filipino women were working in Singapore as domestic helpers.
• As Singapore’s demand for domestic helpers continues to rise, the Government has put forth measures to restrict the number of domestic helpers in the country.

In the first week since loan limit restrictions were expanded to include foreign workers, 209 Filipino domestic helpers found themselves unable to service their loans. Worried about the loan agencies going to their employers’ home to demand payment, they sought help from Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs). (Lianhe Zaobao, 12/12/2018)

佣工 (Hong Kong)