Sunday, 06 Sep 2020 01:33 PM MYTFile picture shows babies laying in cots at a maternity ward in Singapore. — Reuters pic
Like many other countries, Malaysia and Singapore underwent a lockdown that lasted several months starting March that aimed to curb the spread of the coronavirus that restricted all international and even domestic travel. Lee said PEM can only accommodate half of the 400 requests at any one time, leaving them unable to fulfil the last minute soar in demand.
“Many of the mothers who signed up with us have not yet fully recovered from delivery and being left alone will make it harder for them to take care of their newborn,” she told CNA. Another issue that has surfaced is the increase in cost per assignment for both the agency, potentially the recipient family, and even sometimes the nannies themselves as both governments impose fees for those under mandatory quarantine on each side of the border.
Teo, who decided not to name the agency, said the service from the nanny, however, has been great following the birth of his child on Aug 14.“And I think it would even be worse to expect the nannies to pay for it,” he was quoted in the report.