Voices from the Shelter: Why Rest Days Matter
10 October 2024
Rest day issues remain aplenty for migrant domestic workers (MDWs) in Singapore. At HOME’s crisis shelter for MDWs, we have spoken to many of them who do not have a weekly day off. Some have just one day off a month, or none at all, even though laws were amended in 2023 to mandate one rest day a month which cannot be compensated by employers. For Than San Dar, from Myanmar, her first taste of Singapore outside the confines of work came only after six years of employment:
“At HOME shelter I have made new friends. Last Sunday I followed my friends, and I went out for the first time since I came to Singapore six years ago. Before, I never went anywhere. Because I was working and had no day off and no phone, so for six years I stayed at home every Sunday, working.”
Many of them do not have a 24-hour rest day as well: they have to prepare breakfast before they go, and be back in time for dinner or to complete other chores. This has prompted HOME to begin its #RestDayAllDay campaign, pushing for a rest day to be defined as 24 continuous hours.
Why is having this day of rest from work so important? We can give you many reasons, but who better to explain than the domestic workers themselves? At HOME’s shelter, we run writing workshops, and we asked the participants what they like to do on their day off, and why having time off is so important to them.
Siti, from Indonesia, shows us the most obvious reason for MDWs having a weekly day off: everyone simply needs a break once in a while.
“I haven’t yet gone anywhere in Singapore because I never got a day off. But I think if I did get a day off, I would go somewhere nice and just sit there, make my heart feel better listening to my favourite music until I feel relaxed in my mind and soul. That would be my perfect day off in Singapore already, but I hope I can travel to every place in beautiful Singapore one day.
Having a rest day is important to me because during a rest day I can take a break from my activities like chores. Because being a domestic worker, we don’t only need strength, we also need to be able to concentrate and focus. If we feel tired and weak, we can’t work well. But sometimes employers don’t understand this. They feel that since we are a domestic worker, and they pay us money, we need to always do what they want. But no, we are the same as everyone, we also need some rest from our activities.”
Often, MDWs do not have a single day where they do not have to worry about their job at all.
“I am Tin Tin. I am from Myanmar. I have worked in Singapore one year. Before, I did not have any friends. Now I am staying here at HOME shelter, I have made friends. On Sunday we go to the beach together. Or we go to a mall, or to my friend’s house.
My employer never gave me a day off. She gave me 3 or 4 hours off only on Sunday. After I went out, she always called me, come back, you need to work. I never complained. I came back after having been out for a few hours only. When I went out I went to City Hall only, because I did not know where to go and I did not know anyone in Singapore.”
Another reason why MDWs need time off regularly is to meet up with their friends. Having a social network for emotional support is very important for mental health, as the story of this domestic worker from Myanmar illustrates:
“I have worked in Singapore for about six years already. In my last job, I took care of three children, that are all boys. My employer’s house is four stories, and I got very tired working there. I had a day off once a month only, and then I could meet with my friends. I told my friends about my job, and how I was always tired. And how my employer was always angry with me. My friends supported me in my struggles and gave me strength. I told my employer I did not want to work with them anymore, but they said I had to finish my contract. When I told them my mother was sick and I had to go home, they said I needed to wait for two months so they could hire another domestic worker. I asked them to let me go and said I’d wait one month for them to find another domestic worker. But they said no, and my sir took my phone away and did not let me go out anymore. I could not even call my mother for two weeks. By the time he gave back my phone she had already passed away. I felt very sad and lonely. When my employer didn’t pay my salary for two months, I called my agency for help and they sent me to HOME shelter. Now I am here I feel so happy, my mind is free. I can meet my old friends. They tell me to take care, and be strong, and that they will always be there for me. My day off is very important to me. A day off can make you happy, and free your mind.”
Many of the women that come here as MDWs are in Singapore for the first time. Having time off allows them to not only unwind after a hard week of work, but also to take in some of the sights of this beautiful city. The following story by May on how she likes to go sightseeing with her friends during her time off is simply heartwarming. Like she says herself, we hope all domestic workers will be able to do the same in the future.
“I have worked in Singapore as a domestic worker for ten years already. My last employer gave me two rest days every month. On my rest day I went all over Singapore, there are so many places I already went. I still remember my first time that I went to Marina Bay with my friends. That is a very popular place in Singapore. We can see the Merlion and the very high Marina Bay Sands hotel.
When we were there we took a lot of photos. We bought some food and enjoyed ourselves a lot. Me and my friends were very happy. On other rest days we went to Sentosa beach and enjoyed seeing other people swim. I don’t know how to swim myself, so I only looked at other people swim. I also went to Pulau Ubin one day with my friends. I liked the boat ride from Changi ferry terminal to the island, it takes about 25 minutes. When I see the sea view, my mind feels very refreshed. When we work in Singapore we need to refresh our mindset, so we can continue our work without stress. When I feel well and strong I can help my employer with a lot of things. I hope all other domestic workers can do the same as me and enjoy the beautiful sights of Singapore.”
Not everyone feels the need to get active on their day off. Like Siti in the first story, Myo Myo Htet from Myanmar also likes a relaxing day off.
“This is my first time working in Singapore as a domestic worker. My family is very poor. I have one day off a month. On my rest day, I like to go to the river. I sit and I listen to English songs, and Chinese songs. I like to see the river view in Singapore. Singapore has many beautiful views. The rest day is very important.”
HOME will continue to campaign for a weekly rest day, as well as rest days to be defined as 24 continuous hours because we believe that all MDWs should be able to enjoy a full day of rest, socialising and activities each and every week. Please support us by sharing these women’s stories.
#RestDayAllDay