ICA aware of parent's complaint

ST Online Forum

20 Nov 2009

WE REFER to the Forum Online letter by Mr Egbert Phua, "Twins increase couple's stress, which govt agencies can help reduce", on Nov 11.
It is not appropriate for the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to discuss details of individual cases through the media. We would like to assure applicants that all cases are thoroughly assessed based on their own merits. We are aware of Mr Phua's situation and are in contact with him.

Chia Hui Keng (Ms)
Head, Public & Internal
Communications Branch
Corporate Communications Division
Immigration and Checkpoints Authority


Twins increase couple's stress, which govt agencies can help reduce

ST Online Forum

11 Nov 2009

I HAVE three very young children almost all of a sudden after my wife gave birth to twins three months ago. My eldest child is 22 months old.

My wife has to work round the clock to cope with all three children. There have been times when she has missed her meals.

I have applied several times to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) for a long-term visa for my mother-in-law from Shanghai to stay with us to ease the burden of caring for our young ones. So far, all my applications have been rejected.

The appeal for help from my MP has also not been successful in persuading the ICA to show some flexibility.

With a single income and suddenly extra mouths to feed, hiring a foreign maid is not an option. Besides, would a maid care for my children better than their own grandmother?

I have tried enrolling my eldest child in a childcare centre nearby, but was told there are more than 20 applicants on the waiting list.

Meanwhile, my mother-in-law's short-term visa expires on Nov 22 and I am at my wits' end.

Unless government agencies can coordinate to help young families like mine cope with the stresses of raising their children, monetary incentives alone will not persuade couples to have more children.

Egbert Phua