VP Binay seeks embassy probe on ‘discount maids’ in Singapore

The Philippine Embassy in Singapore should look into reports on Filipina domestic workers supposedly being displayed and advertised in malls on "special discounts," Vice President Jejomar Binay said Monday.

In a statement, Binay, presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers (OFW)'s concerns, said the embassy should find out if some Filipinas in Singapore are "being subjected to an indignity."

“I am deeply concerned by these reports. If this is true, then the domestic workers are being subjected to an indignity that should not be allowed and is in fact, a violation of an international convention protecting the rights of migrant workers,” he said on Monday.

Last week, a report on television network Al Jazeera's website said domestic workers from the Philippines, Indonesia and Myanmar are being displayed and marketed on "super promo" rates by some "maid agencies" in malls.

Binay further said that Filipino officials in Singapore should  "make the proper representations with Singaporean authorities" on this matter.

“I am confident that such acts will not be tolerated by Singapore. Singapore is a friend of the Philippines and Filipinos,” he said.

Over 180,000 Filipinos are working in Singapore as of December 2012, based on Philippine government records. —Andreo Calonzo/KBK, GMA News

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