UPDATES AS OF JULY 2009

As the nation is prepared on all front to fight the war against Influenza A (H1N1), We the maid agency should be socially responsible and have to be extra vigilant and put in place the preventive measures.

In view of the above situation, we have already activated preventive measures such as the Pre-arrangements With Overseas Agents..., Temperature Taking Exercises..., Safety & Security Measures... and Training House Cleanliness...

We wish to give the employers' an update of what we are doing now and will be carrying out when the need arises.

1. Pre-arrangements With Overseas Agents:

We make arrangements with our overseas agents, to constantly monitor the health of FDWs prior to departure from their home country. And advise our agents for FDWs who are not feeling well or showing flu symptoms prior to departure should not travel.

2. Temperature Taking Exercises:

In order to ensure that the exercise can be carried out smoothly, our staff and trainer will be carrying out daily temperature taking exercise.

FDWs with a body temperature higher than 37.9 ºC will be isolated and immediately sent to the clinic to consult the doctor as soon as possible.

3. Safety and Security Measures:

    Within 7 days of arrival,

    - during this period we separate accomodation of newly-arrived FDW.
    - we advise the FDWs to avoid contact with the other FDWs.
    - avoid crowded places and wear surgical mask if unwell.

    - we monitor closely from time to time the newly-arrived FDW for the following        symptoms like:

            * High fever (>38degC)
            * Sore throat
            * Cough
            * Body aches
            * Runny nose
            * Headaches
            * Tiredness

In the event a FDW displays flu-like symptoms:

The FDW should be isolated, given a face mask and medical attention immediately.

Call 993 immediately for an ambulance service to bring the FDW for further assessment at TTSH, if the FDW is from countries/regions with community spread and/or known to have exported cases.

If the FDW is subsequently confirmed as a H1N1 case, we will work with MOH to identify the close contacts for quarantine purposes. Employers of the close contacts should be kept updated of the situation. We will also immediately inform MOM’s Employment Agency Licensing Branch, Foreign Manpower Management Division, Ministry of Manpower at mom_ea@mom.gov.sg or call these nos. 6419 9406 / 97118314.

As part of our safety and security measures, we will also be screening all our applicants here in Singapore. We will also be taking the temperature of the hired applicants to ensure that they are not running a fever.

These measures are necessary before deployment of the FDW as we have the responsibility to safeguard the employers and their family from unnecessary exposure.

4. Agency Training House Cleanliness:

Our agency has stepped up into hygiene control measures. The entire training house was cleaned and disinfected over last weekend. And with immediate effect, more frequent cleaning will be carried out for places with high human traffic such as the toilets. As one of the recommended measures is to wash their hands thoroughly and frequently, we will ensure that liquid soap and hand sanitizer will be provided. We will also educate the FDW the importance of practising a high standard of personal hygiene which would include washing hands thoroughly especially after visiting the toilet and before preparing meals.

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