Exit interviews of maids

Editor
Today

I refer to the letter from Lim Song Joo entitled "Exit reviews will improve maid quality" (Today, 5 January 2007).

Mr Lim suggested that the Ministry of Manpower should carry out exit interviews of maids and make the information available for future employers who may employ these maids on their return to Singapore. This allows a maid with a good record to earn a better salary from the next employer.

I agree with this suggestion. It is a useful service.

If the Ministry does not wish to be involved in this new activity, I suggest that the Ministry can appoint a private organisation to carry out the work. This organisation can manage a database and perform the work according to the standards specified by the Ministry.

There is also a need to assess the suitability of maids who are coming to Singapore for the first time. I suggest that the employer try out the maid and provide information to the central database. This information will be useful to place the maid with a suitable household. Some maids may be not suitable for certain households but may be acceptable for other households.

As many people in Singapore depend on maids, it is timely for us to use database technology to improve the recruitment process.

Tan Kin Lian