Working For The Underdogs

As the Founder and President of Humanitarian Organization for Migrant Economics (H.O.M.E), Bridget Lew has her fair share of challenges when it comes to protecting the rights of migrant workers in Singapore. And with continual negative press coverage on foreign domestic workers here, it is sometimes a Herculean feat getting public support and sympathy for her cause. Despite all these, Bridget tells Nanz Inc why she continues to provide a sanctuary for this oft-misunderstood group of people.

By: Audra Lim

Tell us more about H.O.M.E. and the work it does to help foreign workers.
In Singapore, there are some 800,000 or more migrant workers contributing to our economic success, and many of them fill jobs that are “dirty, dangerous and demeaning”. However, as with migrant workers everywhere, this segment of the labour force is vulnerable to abuse and labour exploitation.

When I founded H.O.M.E in 2004, I just wished for a more just society for all. I was quite perturbed by the abuses and violation of rights inflicted on men and women who work in our country to earn a living for their families – for a better future. H.O.M.E then was set up to provide shelters, legal, medical and other financial and social support services. H.O.M.E also recognises that our migrant workers need to be empowered with livelihood skills and human rights education.

What is the most touching case you have handled?
There have been many touching stories – take the case of Mary Rose. She was so abused to the point that her employer pushed chopsticks into her ears and smeared her face with the faeces of the baby. When she fell asleep in her room without switching off the lights, the employer poured cold water over her and made her stand in the living room till she “dripped dry”.

From this extreme case of maid abuse, I became more determined to do my part to work for the better protection of the poorest of the poor workers in Singapore – the migrant domestic workers. A mandatory day off every week is really necessary to ensure that no one gets tortured behind closed doors.

What advice would you give to employers of foreign domestic workers?
A domestic worker is a human person from another country and there must be the need to give time for the individual to settle into the home emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Any worker should be respected and treated on the basis of the golden rule “Do unto others what you would others do unto you”. Treat her the way you wish your bosses to treat you. Lay a fair code of conduct/ethics clearly at the onset. If the rules are broken, then she would have to leave her employment. Do not forget that she is human just like you and deserves respect and recognition. Some employers just nitpick incessantly, and as a result, the domestic worker is forced into a situation where she starts lying and deceiving the employer for fear of reprimand and repatriation.

What keeps you going?
The spirit is greater than the body and thus my spirit keeps me going on for those who continue to need my assistance. What inspires me – nothing less than a conviction that my life is not for myself but for others.

What is H.O.M.E. most in need of now?
Because our beneficiaries are migrants, we are not being funded by the State or by Community Chest. The cost of running shelters are tremendous, hence we do have an onerous task to ensure that we have the funds to keep us going. The public can help with a pledge to our work or volunteer with us in organizing charity drives.

Visit H.O.M.E’s website now to make a difference.