Study mama

Peidu mamas (陪读妈妈), or study mamas are women who accompany their children to Singapore to receive primary and secondary-level education. The study mama phenomenon began in 2000, after the Singapore Government relaxed its immigration policies to attract more foreigners. Most of the study mamas are from mainland China and some are divorced mothers with a single child.

Introduction

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore possesses records that suggest that there are at least 7800 study mamas of various nationalities, with two-thirds of the 6800 study mamas in Singapore in July 2005 coming from China. Of these 6800 study mamas, only 1000 work permits were issued to them. A significant number of study mamas work in the service sector to earn money and provide for their studying children. Study mamas are usually middle-aged mothers with a single child of schooling age, as a result of China's one-child policy.

Jobs

It is estimated that peidu mamas require RMB$1 million (approx S$217,000) for their child to receive education from Primary 1 to Secondary 4 in Singapore. In order to supplement their income to support the higher cost of living in Singapore, most work in low-paying jobs such as hotel chambermaids, cleaners and waitresses. In 2003 a law was passed that made it illegal for them to work in industries other than construction, shipping and shipbuilding, essentially making them part of the imported (male) Chinese labour force Singapore employs in mainly construction and shipbuilding. Peidu mamas are only allowed to work in certain areas, as the Singapore Government allowed them to come to Singapore to accompany their children, but not to work here. The typical study mama usually works part-time in various jobs, such as tutors or in the service sector, in order to support their lifestyle in Singapore. Peidu mamas are only allowed to obtain work permits after staying in Singapore for a year. However, they cannot work in certain "objectionable jobs".

Government

The government places restriction on the employment of study mamas, arguing that their primary purpose of stay here is to take care of their children. Hence they should not be working, especially not as hostesses in bars or pubs at night. They are not allowed to work at food stalls, but can work in other services industries if given permits. MP Yeo Guat Kwang addressed the law, saying that "You [study mamas] are here to accompany your child, so if you are working in a bar as a hostess at night then how will they [study mamas] look after their children?"

The government is concerned that some study mamas are using their children's education as an excuse for coming to Singapore to work. This contradicts Singapore's intention of becoming an education hub in the region. By accompanying their children to Singapore to study, peidu mamas are agreeing that they are able to support their children without the need for work.

It is reported that some peidu mamas come to Singapore without careful consideration of the living expense in Singapore. They would later feel the pinch when their savings were used up. The government denies having any obligation to help them financially and refuses to change any laws to cater specifically to the study mamas, as the government feels that study in Singapore is a privilege to Mainland Chinese, and not an obligation. MP Indranee Rajah is reported to have said that "If they [study mamas] feel they are unable to support their children here they should not embark on something they are unable to carry through".

Murder incident and crackdown

In June 2006, a Chinese national woman who owned a massage parlour, which allegedly provided sex services to clients, was stabbed to death in Ang Mo Kio. This drew public and media attention to vice-related activities at some of these massage parlours. In early July 2006, the government conducted a crackdown on illegal employment at the parlours and imposed stricter regulation on their operations. This led to some peidu mamas to hold a protest outside the Chinese Embassy, despite the prohibition of such gatherings in Singapore. Although this woman was not a study mama, Singaporeans perceived other study mamas to be similar to her, fuelling even more discrimination.

Protest at Chinese Embassy

About 30 mainland Chinese peidu mamas gathered in response to a circulated SMS message outside the Chinese Embassy in Tanglin Road. They hoped the China embassy would help them in their predicament. They petitioned the Chinese Embassy twice to ask them to convey to the Singapore government about the difficulties they face and help to amend Singapore's laws, especially the employment restriction and the new rules on massage parlours. Occasionally, agonised shouts were also heard from the group, of which most were criticising the government.

Many of their personal stories were exchanged and reported by the media, such as incidents of being cheated by agents in their country. It was reported that some agents in China had approached single mothers to offer them good education for their children in Singapore, but misled them that they would be able to find a good job and lead a better life in Singapore by using their children's education as a cover. This resulted in some peidu mamas to come to Singapore mainly for work or with the misconception that they can find jobs easily. They also had to pay a security deposit of a few thousand dollars to undertake that they will not engage in any illegal activities.

Due to the bad publicity surrounding the murder and massage parlours affair, peidu mamas face increasing discrimination and stereotyping from the locals by being associated with vice and illegal activities. Some reported receiving solicitation for sex by Singaporean men.

A spokesman of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority had assured that "the vast majority of study mothers do not abuse the passes issued to them by getting involved in vice-related activities." Before the crackdown, Wong Kan Seng, the Minister for Home Affairs, wrote that "Out of more than 6000 study mother in Singapore, fewer than 40 were caught for illegal activities from January to July 2005." Many study mamas have valid jobs in the service sector, while some are working without valid work permits.

See also

• Anti-Chinese sentiment