The Workplace-Entitlements Knowledge of Filipino and Indonesian Domestic Workers in Singapore

Awareness of her workplace entitlements augments a migrant worker’s ability to assert her employment rights. Using an original survey instrument, we construct a composite index of workplace-entitlement awareness among 98 Indonesian and Filipina migrant domestic workers employed in Singapore, assessing their knowledge of their rights to retain their personal documents, receive regular salary payments, and receive a weekly rest day. Multiple regression analysis reveals that awareness levels remain low across both nationality groups though Filipina domestic workers are significantly more rights-aware than their Indonesian counterparts due to a variety of information sources.