"We have rights too!"
In Singapore, one can hear and read many stories about foreign domestic workers in the media. The common stories that one can hear are usually about either domestic workers harming employers or employers harming domestic workers. Essentially, the media plays a powerful role in producing the image of domestic workers in Singapore. The narratives attached to these images are exacerbated by social media, which in my opinion plays an even more important role in manufacturing the dominant perceptions of domestic workers in Singapore. However, the media image is not my focus here, as one can design an entire research project just on the ways in which the media shapes and constructs the images and experiences of foreign domestic workers. This preamble is meant to highlight and acknowledge the importance of the media in playing an active role in disseminated messages and developing perceptions.
While I was in Singapore, I saw how the media was used to advocate for the fair treatment of domestic workers, through publishing reports of abuse and promoting the importance of understanding the mental health of domestic workers. In particular, there was one controversial report that discussed the importance of domestic workers having a mobile phone in their employers’ homes, something which many employers are against. These types of reports are important, but more work is still required in order to lower the incidence of abuse. There are a few NGOs that advocate for migrant worker rights and provide assistance to those who are in situations of distress. As well, the domestic workers themselves advocate for their own rights through volunteering and becoming active participants within these NGOs. In an effort to both empower themselves and educate others about their experiences and rights, the domestic workers have also developed their own organization, which I had the honour of participating in while I was doing my fieldwork. Though these efforts have done a lot of improve the well-being of many domestic workers in Singapore, there is still more education and community work needed in order to continue to improve the livelihood of these women. Thus as a tribute to the women in my study, I plan to use my work to advocate and protect the rights of foreign domestic worker. I would like to thank the Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Department of Anthropology and my supervisory committee for supporting my research project. |