When I Was Young

Letter from Gupta Kavita

I refer to “English test a major barrier” (April 8).

This is especially true for new domestic workers who have no experience working as maids. Why put undue stress on all concerned by making it a requirement for them to pass the English test, failing which they have to be sent back?

It is an irony that foreign workers who come to work in Singapore in customer service sectors are not required to pass such a test. Recently, I called an enquiry line to check on bus routes. The customer service officer was unable to understand my query.

Make it compulsory for foreign workers in the service sectors to take an English test but exempt domestic workers. Passing the test for the former group is very important but for the latter, it is only secondary.

From TODAY, Voices – Friday, 10-April-2009