Indonesian embassy blacklists 13 maid agencies in S'pore

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http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20120811-364801.html

13 maid agencies here, including several large agencies, are on the blacklist of the Indonesian embassy for flouting the rules on the recruitment of Indonesian maids.

According to The Straits Times, since 1st May, 260 maids that have arrived here, were secured through illegal channels by Singapore maid agencies - by bribing Indonesian recruiters.

Some come through Batam, where checkpoints are believed to be less stringent that in Jakarta.

But they are working here legally as they have been issued work permits by the Singapore government.

Policy changes that took effect from May 1 lowered the placement fees payable by the Singapore-bound maids to Indonesian recruiters and training centres from $3,000 to about $2,000.

The changes, aimed at raising the professional standard of maids, spelt out how the cost of sourcing and training the maids are to be shared among the different parties.

Unhappy about the decrease in commission, recruiters have sought under-the-table fees of up to $1,000, threatening to stop sourcing for maids otherwise.

The Straits Times added that this has resulted in fewer Indonesian maids coming through legitimate channels since May.

Last month, only 20 maids arrived, compared to the 3,000 who had been arriving before the changes took place.

Employers now have to face a two-month wait for an Indonesian maid when it used to be three weeks.