SINGAPORE : An international human rights group is calling for Singapore's employment laws to be extended to cover foreign domestic workers.

This would give them the same rights as construction workers.

But the Manpower Ministry (MOM) says foreign maids here are fully protected under the laws.

They have the same rights as other employees - to accept or reject work conditions imposed, including the number of rest days.

Laws protecting maids from abuse have been toughened over recent years. And the number of cases has fallen from 157 in 1997 to 59 cases last year.

Human Rights Watch says this is progress but feels more should be done to improve the rights of domestic workers.

In its report, it says Singapore should ensure maids get the same protection as other foreign workers here.

It also suggests extending its Employment Act to cover maids.

"That would give workers, for example, the right to have a maximum 44 hours per week at work, then overtime thereafter. It would guarantee them one day off per week, or as the government is proposing, one day off a month, which is a step in the right direction but hardly adequate," said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch.

In response, the Ministry of Manpower says the report grossly exaggerates the abuse and lack of rights of foreign domestic workers in Singapore.

It says maids choose to work here because of better conditions compared to their home and other countries.

An independent poll showed 80% of foreign maids were happy working here.

The US State Department has also lauded Singapore's recent efforts to curb foreign domestic worker abuses.

To a suggestion that Singapore drop the $5,000 security bond required of all foreign maids, the ministry says this is unwise.

It explains that the bond is designed to ensure employers do not abandon their maids instead of arranging proper repatriation.

- CNA /ls