 Think Tech Away, Civil Engagement lives here. Ms. Rwena from Philippines. Yes. She's here with us at Lucky Plaza. This is a place of congregation for foreign domestic workers during their weekly day off in Singapore. Being that over 250,000 domestic workers are here in Singapore, the Ms. 1 in 5 household in Singapore has a foreign help. We'd like to speak to Rwena today to find out how her life is here in Singapore. Welcome to the show, Rwena. Thank you, ma'am. Now, Rwena, how long have you been in Singapore? I've been working here for 10 years. 10 years? Yes. Have you always been with the same employer? No. Since 2008, I already had a fourth employer. This is the fourth employer that I have. Okay. So was it your choice to go from one employer to the next? Was there a time contract for each time? Yes. Actually, when it's my first time here, I work with an Indian family, which is four years, no, five years. Would that sing for a family? Yes. Sing for a family? Yes. They are personal residents here. And then after that, after five years, I decided to look for a foreign employer. So I met my Australian employer. So they have one child. He is a baby boy. Then I worked with them for eight months, because after eight months, they went for good in Hong Kong. At that time, they wanted me to go with them, but I refused to go just because of some reasonable thing. So I stay in Singapore after that. They introduced me with their friends at the same condo. That was the Dakota condo. Then I worked with the British family. They have one baby girl. She is one year old, and then I worked with them like eight months. After that, they went for good in UK. After they went for good, then my mom posted me on Facebook to look for another family to work with. So we found a finished employer. So I worked with them for two years. And you'll stay with them today? No, no, no. I finished my contract with them last March 14. Then after that, I decided to find another employer again because I looked after two kids. They are both boys, very active boys. So the older one is three years old. The second one is one year and four months. I'm the one who looked after sin's birth. Oh wow. So the older one is like one year and five months that time when I joined with them. So it's like very, very, it's been very tough to look after them and then doing household chores. It's not easy for me. Now going back to the first employer, why did you leave your first employer? Was it just to try working for other employers? No, because since they are Indian, it's difficult because I'm working. I start my work like seven o'clock in the morning until 12 midnight. Oh my goodness. So I don't have enough time to sleep which makes my health not easy. Right. I always feel uneasy until then I realize that myself is going like a bit, I'm always getting sick. So it was a long working hours that prompted you to look for another employer. Did you get any day off with the first employer? First three years mum, I didn't have any off day. Wow. Like every day you must have two work, no rest day. Was that before Singapore made the law that the domestic workers got to have a day off? Yes, before the law came in. Before, yes. But some agencies they won't allow you to work. Even the rules must take one rest day per week. But the agency they never follow the rules. So for three years you were working from seven to twelve? Yes, yes, that's right. Did you have any children? I have two. I'm a widow with two children. I mean the first family. Did they have any children? Yes, the first one they had two girls. I see. Like four years old and eleven months when I joined with them. So going to the second family, did things improve? Did you get a day off? Yes, because I got every week off day, every Sunday and public holiday. And then every twice a year they always send me to Philippines to visit my family. Oh, that's very nice. And they pay for your way back? Yes, of course. Oh, that's very nice. That's the second family, right? And that's the one that went to Hong Kong? Yes, ma'am. Oh, okay. And the third family? The third family is British. They're also very good. Same, same. What all the rules that we had with my Australian family? Same. Yes, just the same. And you got a day off. So since your second employer, you get a day off every week? Yes, same as every week and also public holiday. And my British employer, if once they're coming back from work, then they will take over with the baby girl and then they will let me go and relax. Natana, what made you come to Singapore to seek work? What made you decide to come to Singapore to look for a job? Because I'm a widow with two kids, so it's not easy to finance them. I come here to give them a brighter future because I want them to finish their studies and I want them to give their brighter future. How old are your children? The older one is 23 years old now. Oh, you look so young. Thank you so much. And the second one is 13, 13 years old. 10 years apart. Yes, 10 years apart. So before you get to see them twice, you know? Yes, ma'am. Have they ever come to Singapore? No, but I'm planning to bring them to God's will. Now we look forward to seeing them. Yes, this is a great place. You know, even for big 13 or 23, this is a great place to visit. Share with us some of your job duties. What do you do besides taking after the kids? What else do you have to do at the heart? Do you do cooking? Do you do cleaning? No, in my present employer now, ma'am, I don't need to do cooking because they have one child. He's one year old, one year and four months, like 14 months, one year, three months, I guess. So my mom is a Canadian teacher and my sister also is working in the office. So they are both working. So me and the baby boy will stay at home. So the priority is the child. So does the cooking? I'm not doing the cooking. I just need to prepare the vegetables and then my mom will cook. When you say your mom, you mean the madam, right? Yes, the madam. So my job is quite very smooth. What about cleaning? Do you have to do all the cleaning in a house? Yes, ma'am. And then close ironing? Yes, ironing just once a week. Once a week? Yes, ma'am. Now when we talk about cleaning, is it deep cleaning that you just have to do by cleaning once a month? Is it day-to-day just maintaining? Because I want to maintain that the house is clean. So even my mom says you don't need to vacuum the floor every day. But I still need to do it because I want to maintain it clean. You take care of the work. Yes, yes. I think that's my habit already. Yeah, I don't want to sit. I don't want to sit. Nothing to do. My body is like... I feel not comfortable if I'm sitting. I always need to have work. Now having been in Singapore for 10 years, tell us what are some of the things that you like about being in Singapore when you do get time out to enjoy the country? Oh, I like Singapore because it's very safe. Anytime when you go out, you don't have any doubt. You don't have any tension because even if you're walking alone, nobody will disturb you. So it means you are safe. Do you have friends here? Yes, I have some friends. When should you make these friends? In our condo, mom. In your condo? Yeah, yeah. In our condo. I just met them. I meet them every day eating lunch together, even dinner. We eat snacks together and then we always meet because we have every maid, every friend has their own baby. So we always go down to play morning and afternoon. So they have play days and then you have friends. Oh, that's wonderful. And weekends, you go out with your friends. Yes, mom. Now, you're working with a good family now. Have you heard of some of the horror stories from some of your other friends who might not be as fortunate as you are to be working for a good family? Do you have any not-so-good stories to share with us? You don't have to give us their names? No, I don't have. Sometimes I heard that the employer is not friendly. They don't have enough food to eat. Not enough food to eat? Yeah, not enough food, not enough time to rest. That's only the rumors that I heard from other parties. What about taking care of some of the kids? Have you heard stories where maybe the children are bullying the maids? No, I just sometimes I'm reading in a newspaper that some maids are... but not Filipino. In 100% maybe, no, one also. They are very lovely. Philippine helpers are very lovely. No, I mean the children are bullying the maids. Not the maids bullying the children here. They have cases, maybe other kids spoiled and they would order the maids. No, no, I never encountered. So even your friends, you didn't hear stories? Yes, mom, no, no. I didn't hear any stories about this thing. So how much longer do you intend on working in Singapore? I'm sorry? How much longer do you intend on staying here? Maybe I will stay here maybe more 10 years. Another 10 years? Yeah, because I have some other plans also for my family until I get some money for restart a new business. No, wonderful. Maybe yeah, maybe I'll stop. Maybe 10 years. And your youngest will be 23 by then. Yes, yes. Well, thank you so much right now. We're going to take a little shot right here and when we come back, we'll like to learn more about your life in Singapore. Thank you. Watch my show on Tuesdays for its own. I sang this song to you because I think you either are cool or have the potential to be seriously cool. And I want you to come watch my show where I bring in experts who talk all about easy strategies to be healthier, happier, build better relationships and make your life a success. So come sit with the cool kids at Out of the Comfort Zone on Tuesdays at 1. See you there. Aloha, I'm Kili Ikeena and I'm here every other week on Mondays at 2 o'clock p.m. on Think Tech Hawaii's Hawaii Together. In Hawaii Together we talk with some of the most fascinating people in the islands about working together. Working together for a better economy, government and society. So I invite you into our conversation every other Monday at 2 p.m. on Think Tech Hawaii Broadcast Network. Join us for Hawaii Together. I'm Kili Ikeena. Aloha. Welcome back to the show. This is Global Report. I'm your host, Oli Hong. We have with us today Ms. Rowena from Philippines who's here to share with us about her domestic working life here in Singapore. Now, Ms. Rowena, you mentioned you have two children in Philippines. Yes. So let's go back to, you know, right before your departure, how did you handle telling them that you're going overseas to work? Oh, that's a very nice question. Actually it's a very difficult part of the parents to live our children. But, of course, you have to emphasize, you have to explain to them that if we will stay together and then nothing will happen, I cannot give them a brighter future. So they should understand that. Your younger child was only three years old at that time, right? Yeah, yeah. So how did you, you know, make them comprehensive? How did you talk to them? Although he's only three years old and then I'm comfortable because they live with my parents. So while they were grown up and then I think my parents really slowly explained they will make him understand why I work abroad then while they grew up then they understand the fact that you're making a sacrifice. Yes. Now for your older child he was 13 years old at that time so you could actually talk to him. How did he handle it? Actually when I told him that I go abroad he doesn't like it. He says that better you stay here you can look at job here then you can find a job here so that we always be together. But I'm thinking if I will stay and work in Philippines I cannot earn money how much I can give every month it's not enough. Do you much sharing how much you make in Singapore as opposed to how much you will be making in Philippines? In Philippines when I work over there then I only earn like 7,000 5,000 like that. And a month's pesos? Yeah. How much is that in Singapore dollars? I think it's like 150. 150 dollars. Okay so that's about 120, 130 US dollars. And how much are you making in Singapore? When it's my first time to come I'm only earning like 13,000 14,000 it depends upon the rate of Singapore to Philippine peso until it's increasing and increasing. So that would be about 300, 400 Singapore to 300. 340 dollars. I start from 340 dollars salary per month. So that's about 300 US dollars? Yes. So until it becomes 400 then it increases again 500. Now how did you find a way to get here? Was there an agency there that helped you to find a job here? What was the process like? I have one neighbor who's working here like I think two years and then she finds agency for me here. It's like a direct hiring. But there are agencies in Philippines too, right? No, they don't have agencies. Yes, it's all here in Singapore. So I came here as a visit tourist visa and then they arrange all my documents here as a legal worker here in Singapore. So the process started when you came here as a visitor how long did it take to the day that you actually got employed? I think not even it's just weeks maybe like two weeks. Oh that's fast. Yes, because you cannot stay here longer time without any legal documents. And how much does this agency charge? Is it a percentage every month or is it a lump sum at the beginning? I think it's a lump sum month because I pay my one year time my one year service to the agency so I don't have any money for one year the whole year. You didn't have any income for a year? No, no. They took my one year service. Did they make that clear to you when you were hired? Did you know that? No, they said that I will pay just only for seven months. Seven months salary deduction but after that they again give another additional for three months. But what about the contract? Isn't it spelled out clearly in the contract when you sign a contract? Didn't they say it's only seven months? Yes, it was stated there in the contract that you will pay like seven months salary deduction but after seven months I don't know why they again they charge me more money. Now when you are filling in a contract did you get any help? I imagine English is not your first language so it's a little hard reading all the nitty gritty. Even for English speakers any contract with fine print Did they provide any translator? Did you get any help? No, no. So you have to just kind of go by what they said? I never even read my contract properly because my agent is quite very fussy like very strict. She cannot like to hold the contract or whatever. No, it's up to you. You just sign this one, send that one. And you obviously felt cheated because you were told they're going to deduct seven months and they took money. Did you have any recourse? Did you have any authorities? Did you know who you can go to to seek help? No, because if you are a first-timer then you don't have any coverage you don't have a fighting spirit to talk so I just keep quiet till I completely pay the whole year the one-year salary deduction. Because you were afraid you would lose the opportunity to work and you just kind of accept to that. Just because my employer, they are good so maybe if I finish my salary deduction then I get my every month salary then it should be fine. Now, suppose you encounter these kind of problems. Let's say your employer is not going to pay you next month or a month after. Do you know who you can go to to seek help? I've been here 10 years. Do you know who you can go to? Yes, of course. So now you know your resources? Yes. Before you went to your first employer did the agency provide any kind of training for you? Yes, training, householder's training and how you take care of the baby. And how long was the training for? I think just one day mum. Just one day? Do you know that's the length of time right now or is there a longer program that the government requires? Sorry? Is there a longer training program in place now? Because I know the government started to step in to provide the oversight. I don't know how they process number. I think just the same. Just one day is fast. Because now in the Philippines mum before you enter Singapore as a helper you have to start your training in the Philippines. You have to enter in Singapore with illegal documents as a helper. So the training starts there? Yes. What kind of training do they do over there? Do they require you to have a certain level of English or a certain education level? No, no, no. Certain education is not necessary. As long as you can speak English they understand the way you talk with the employer the way you communicate with the employer as long as you are nice with the family. You're very fortunate. It sounds like you've been with good families but I'm sure there are still challenges. For example, the first family you had to work long hours. What about with the other three families? What kind of challenges do you face in your job? Not necessarily from the employers but in your job. What kind of challenges did you encounter? In my first employer mum it challenged for me if when I started my work from 7 o'clock and then every day the two children have a tuition class. So every day we are outside after I finish all my work at home then I have to fetch them from school. After that we go back home and then take them again to the tuition which is a whole day continue no rest at all. So you take them on the buses or train the train? Yes, sometimes train mum, sometimes but mostly we go by bus. So your job involves taking the kids around from different activities? Yes mum. We have extra activities from Monday to Friday even Saturday and Sunday. Who pays for your medical bills? My employer. It is included with the contract and insurance. Insurance, okay. So that's typical, that's every domestic worker here. They have to include it in the contract. Yes mum. Now even at $400 which was an increase of $340 it's still a difficult sum to go by in Singapore because this is such an expensive place. How have you, do you do anything for yourself at all or do you send most of your money home? Mostly I everything send my whole salary to my family because it's small salary is not enough to finance them. So for the whole two years I never earn any money for myself. Everything I send with my family all my salary. All your salary. So you don't purchase anything for yourself? No. No. I don't have anything. It's better because cost of living is quite expensive too. Yes it's getting more expensive. Are you from Manila? No province. I'm living in a province. So maybe it goes a little further. Yes. Maybe then Manila goes a little further. Now how do you keep in contact with the children? Do you Skype every day? Do you get to talk to them? Through phone mom I always call them like every Saturday or Sunday. And thanks to technology it's free class. Technology is quite good because you can talk with them in email or messenger. Do you do video conferencing so at least you can see them? Yes. How are they handling? Are they getting used to you being gone? I'm sure they miss you a lot. Yes of course. All of them. Actually my parents. Do you have any siblings? No siblings. So you are the only child? No I have. But they are all married. Oh they are all married. We are all six. I have got four sisters and two brothers. We are all six and I'm the eldest. Oh you are the eldest. Do any of them also come to Singapore? No mom. I'm only alone who came here. So your money goes towards your children and your parents too? And parents too. Because my parents live with my two kids. And your parents are retired? Yes. Wow that's one thing that you are supporting for? Actually they are very old. Now they are like in 70s and 80s. 80s? Yes so they are like very old. So if you are considering staying in Singapore for another 10 years it's actually difficult to depend on one of your parents to take care of them too. Yeah that's right, that's right. But I think my two sons will they can manage themselves already. So they understand how life goes on. Is the 23 year old still going to school? Or is he done with school? No. No. He is a clever kind of boy but I don't know why he doesn't want to go to school. Maybe he is thinking. Is he working? Yes. Maybe I think he is thinking that my mom is working so hard if I go study and then... He is more a businessman. Yes. But I always ask him to go to study for his own future or his own life in the future so that he can get a good job in the future. But maybe one day. Now how do you personally deal with you know deal with your family, your parents, your children? How do you deal with that? Do you get support from your friends? Do you go to church? Where do you get your strength from? Strength. Yes. I get my own strength with my employer now. With my employer now because they are really very good. This is a Finnish family right? No, no, no. It's a French family now. The French family. The French family. They are very supportive. Supportive. Hopeful. And when they send you back to Philippines for your holidays? I just only... I just joined them last March. Or just last March? Just last March. This March. And they let you go home twice a year? Yes. How long do they let you stay when you go home? I going this coming July 3rd of July until 24th of July and then they again get a ticket from me in December. December I will go again for holiday. December for Christmas. From 22nd until 4th of January. Wonderful. So July that after 5 months I will go again to visit my family. Now is this pretty rare to have your employer pay for your holiday back home? Or are you one of the rarities? What about your friends? Do they get such tricks from their employers too? Yes, some of my friends. Some of them. Would you say 5 out of 10 maybe? Yeah, maybe 2 out of 10. So the other 8 they either don't go back or do they pay their own way? Some of them they pay with their own. Pay with their own way. But some of them might not even get a long holiday to go home right? Yeah, yeah. Normally it's just 14 days. 14 days. 14 days. I see. That's in the contract. Yeah, that's in the contract. 2 years holiday. I see. Now with your current employers do you feel like you're part of the family or do you feel like you're part of that? Yes, I think I'm part of their family. Again you are 2 out of 10 that feels like that. What about your friends? It's not so common. So they treat it more like an outsider. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Well thank you so much Mr. Rana. I really appreciate you spending time with us. Thank you so much. Thank you so much for inviting me for the end interview. And thanks for your contributions. Thank you so much.