FAST-ClubHouse

Founded in 2005, the Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Training (FAST) is a charity supported by MOM and is approved as an Institute of a Public Character (IPC). Since its inception, FAST has planned and organised many core skill courses and specialised and professional skill programmes for about 25,000 MDWs annually. These courses include cooking, baking, infant care, eldercare, foot reflexology, nursing care, computer skills, English language, stress management, financial management and entrepreneurial skills. FAST works with training providers and community centres to provide these courses at a subsidised rate for MDWs. FAST also conducts a two-day Onboarding and Integration Programme to help new MDW arrivals adjust and adapt to work life in Singapore, learning life essentials such as how to use public transport and road safety. To help MDWs who are victimised, in trouble or in distress, FAST launched a 24-hour helpline that receives an average of 180 calls a month. Most of the calls pertain to contractual issues such as eligibility for off-days, salaries, requests for transfers, loneliness, home leave and such. There are also distress calls which require FAST to work with the authorities and take immediate actions. Understanding that many MDWs feel lonely and isolated being so far away from home, FAST has a befrienders service that is run by volunteers, providing another avenue for MDWs to socialise and make friends through group activities. Some of the activities include weekly gatherings where the MDWs participate in team building activities, and attend workshops and learning events. As FAST receives numerous referrals from the Ministry, other non-profit partners, embassies and the general public, the FAST Humanitarian Assistance Fund was established to help deserving MDWs who are in need of serious financial or medical difficulties. To help both employers and MDWs resolve any disputes, FAST also provides free mediation services and pro bono legal assistance. Set up in 2014, the FAST Befrienders Clubhouse provides a welcoming and inclusive place for female MDWs to unwind, recharge, and socialise on their off-days. By paying a token annual membership fee, MDWs can sign up as members to use all the facilities on site – including KTV rooms, music jamming room, gym and more. There are also weekly activities organised at the clubhouse to keep MDWs entertained, such as fitness, handicraft, and cooking and baking classes. With more than 10,000 members and counting, FAST has quickly become a second home to MDWs, fostering mutual care and respect for different nationalities and becoming a place where MDWs can spend their time meaningfully. FAST works closely with many partners in providing social support and training for the MDWs. They include ambassadors and staff from embassies, training providers, employment agencies, and other NPOs and government agencies. The embassies also strongly support FAST events and activities by attending its events, and in particular, the annual FDW Day. Since its early days, FAST has been advocating for the welfare of Singapore’s Migrant Domestic Workers. An early example was the recommended day-off for domestic workers announced by the Ministry of Manpower. As FAST continued to assist migrant domestic workers through free counselling and legal aid services, it was accredited by the Singapore International Mediation Institute as a Mediation Centre in October 2019. Such an accreditation furthers FAST’s advocacy role in Employer-MDW relationship.