I EMPLOY a number of foreign workers, both male and female. While the women must undergo health checks twice a year, the men need them only when their contract is renewed, usually every two years.
I believe the rationale for the rule is concern about women's sexual health and unwanted pregnancies that will be a burden to Singapore.
However, many men could be carriers of sexual diseases, so male workers should be screened just as often, if not more so.
I am not a bra-burning, man-hating feminist, but I do think many of our laws are male-centric, as they were mostly made by men.
As society evolves and more women are educated and empowered, it is our duty to challenge rules and policies that are unfair and, in this case, detrimental to public health.
Our sons and daughters should know that sexual health is a responsibility shared by both men and women, and the current rules do not reflect that.
Ivy Singh-Lim (Mrs)