What can be done to prevent Singaporeans from mistreating their domestic workers?

Question

A SilkAir flight attendant was recently jailed for two months for maid abuse. Siti Farhana Mhd Yahkup and her husband, Mohammed Szami At'tirmidzi Supa'at, had hit their maid after they heard their daughter crying. Siti Farhana got angry and held the maid's head and pushed it against the wall several times. She later punched her maid on her chest several times while her husband kicked the maid on her shin. What can be done to ensure domestic workers are treated well?

Answer 1

Many Singaporeans think that to give their maids a day off is "wrong". Start with that as an indication of the thinking that they have. There will be many shrill voices attempting to "justify" harsh behaviour because maids have an easy time etc etc.

I know of many households who have maids who have been treated like members of the family. I have only read reports like the one you mention, which thankfully are few and far between.

As for the prevention of violence like this happening again, there is little that can be done. Those who find it easy to hit or strike a person cannot be changed easily. Remedial treatments are costly and the Singapore government will not embark on that course of action. Their solutions to social problems is to fine or jail the culprits.

I would suggest that it be made so expensive to have a maid that only the very rich will be able to afford them, People like the couple mentioned above will have to do what millions all around the world do - look after your kids yourself. Suitable punishment I think.

Answer 2

There is something very warped about the society in Spore, esp the women folks.

There is very little humanity in Spore's upbringing where people learn to be aloof, selfish, self-serving. Whatever love they have is for their own family, esp the kids.

The best thing abt Sporeans is that most of them think that they are actually ok people.

Answer 3

Made those offenders to compensate the maid & give them a transfer letter. Also they have to borne all the charges that the new maid agency charge. Then put them to do community works like sweeping the corridors along their area wearing a vest with big letters Maid Abuser.

Answer 4

Having been both a nanny and now an employer of a live-in helper I can see the difficulty that lies in this work situation. It is tough to live with people who do not follow a culture you understand. Blaming Singaporeans for their attitude towards maids will not help. Neither will blaming uneducated third world workers.



I think it would be more effective to look at the systems in place in Singapore that foster a culture of exclusion. The education system certainly doesn't help children feel special, or unique. The culture of tolerance instead of acceptance seems to reign here in regards to ethnicities that are not in power.



I think racism is accepted here in Singapore. And this kind of environment does not encourage compassion.



In every case of genocide those that murdered saw their victims as "less than human" or "lower than a shadow".

Answer 5

They should just ban such employers from ever hiring maids in their households for the rest of their lives.

Answer 6

government legislation

domestics re not owned nor are they slaves

i hope this couple were punished

Answer 7

There has been so much stories but it always depend on how the maid respect the rules in the house so the employer should respect her as well.I think only both party the employer and maid could do something about it.

Answer 8

Hi Yahoo editor i hope you can remove this question or story. what is said here untrue. Do you actually know why siti farhana have plead guilty, do you actually know what happen in the house at that point of time. Do you actually think that all the maid is good. Pls answer the question that i have post out.



For all that have been cursing her and her husband i would like to say 2 thumbs up for your wrong judgement... And to some one by the name of ann something pls remove your post.



You guys might have guess that i am somehow related to both of them I am n i know what happen n i know that she pleaded guilty to ensure that either one of them would be safe to take care of her 2 kids... Come on don say thinks that you don know... Do you actually know that she wanted to send the maid back to the agency but she plead her to let her stay cause she owes the grocery shop at her place money for her kids milk n siti farhana pity her and decided nt to send her back... Come on do you think someone who has a bright career would do something to ruin her life and her kids life. I know i will get a bad post after this but before you guys can say anything think of both parties story..

Answer 9

Shame on them. Being a maid is a special gift. We all have our own gift isn't it. How would they feel if they were treated the same way by their bosses. Perhaps maids should have rights and informations to protect them. Employers should be educated on how to treat their maids who are also human beings like them.

Answer 10

I think maids should be allowed to report their current status in their agency on a monthly basis, that way the agency will always be aware on what is happening to their employees... the responsibility of the agencies are not suppose to be finished when the maids are given to the employer, they should still be responsible to make sure that the maids are well in the hands of their employers...this way the abuse maybe avoided or lessen if not the case...

Answer 11

slap with assault and never to hire a maid forever, let her wash her own dishes for goodness' sake.

Answer 12

First of all slavery was abolished long time ago although a lot of people in Singapore with maids do not seem to understand this.

Try to make a survey asking maids which families they would prefer to work for?

I believe that the answer would be, if not exactly surprising, then maybe an eyeopener to many Singaporeans.

The first problem is the fact that Singapore does not have a minimum wage legislation. This makes it possible for Singaporeans to exploit people from poor countries by employing them at very low wages.

The monthly salary for a maid in Singapore is typically 200-300 SDG higher a month than in Singapore.

Another problem by hiring a maid is the way the contracts are handled through agencies. The maid starts of with a large debt because the agency involved takes their big part.

If a Singaporean employer wants to employ a maid they should be forced to pay for all expenses in order to hire the maid so the maid can start to earn money from the very beginning.

If one looks around in condominium estates it is very normal to see maids washing their employers car in the morning or weekends. This is very clearly not allowed but very common.

The law should be made in a way that will take away the right to employ a maid after just one offense. There should be no second chances. A maids passport should not be held by the employer but by MOM. The employer should be forced to give a maid a weekly day off if desired and a maid should not be prevented form having a mobile phone.

Any maid should have an emergency call number to MOM so they could contact a person there and report if they are being mistreated.

On the other hand, any maid caught in braking their contractual terms should be deported without any chance of getting employment in Singapore again.

It is basically all about mutual respect and understanding.

A maid is not a house slave. To treat a maid like a house slave tells the society more about the employer than the maid. Some people are just not suited to have maids because they are simply too selfish and cold.

Answer 13

1.) when there is only one child in the household , they may scream and yell for no reason but because they are the emperor/empress of the household. I have raised ten children eight of them not my own.



2.) whether or not the maid was at fault is not the issue here . The maid may have caused it. This does not justify the employers actions. As employers they should react calmly and rationally discovering the problem the child has (if any) and take the correct actions with the maid .



3.) abuse , such as this , is never the correct solution , it is never admissible , it is never justified unless in self defense. Yes the parents should be punished .Why didnt they just fire her ? Why this action ? There is obviously some issues in this household , have they ever hit the child?



4.) I listened to a lady today complain and complain about having to do laundry and take care of her children for hours because her maid went back home. Get a grip on reality take responsibility for your life . Perhaps people need to realize the amount of work and stress they cause on these others? Realize that it is thier fault they have taken more than they can chew in pursuit of wealth, to the point they cannot even raise their own children .



5.) Singaporeans are driven people, a beautiful thing taken to far .

Answer 14

There must be thorough investigation done to find out the truth. If the employer really abuse the maid, then ac action has to be taken. However, if the truth is not the case where the maid is the one putting on the show or act, I think the relevant government dept involve must apply some form of punishment to the maid. This is to send a signal across to all maids in Singapore that the law is fair to both employer and maid. In many cases, we found that employer is severely punished for any wrong-doing but on the other hand, the maid is been treated lightly or not heavy punishment push down when they did something wrong. They are here to work with the reason of earning $$ to support family. Similarly we all are working for the same reason and follow the rules of the company that employ us. So, there should not be any excuse that maids are given special treatment when they do something wrong. It doesn't matter if you are employer, maid or anyone from different background, the same law mustapply. If there is serious punishment for abuse employer, I think we should also see similar weight of punishment implemented to maid.

Answer 15

They should put a down payment and made to sign a paper document against maid abuse. if they are caught, be fined, jailed or both. They will also be be banned from hiring a maid for the next 10 years or so. something like driving licence being revoked or suspended.



Goverment should also employ an institution whereby every maid in singapore should go for a routine check every three months to check how they are being treated by their employers. If everything goes well then they can return to back to the employer to continue to work if not then the employers will be in trouble.



Taking this type of policy we not only stop maid abuse we can also find out if the maids are mistreated in any other way. Like lack of sleep, overload of work or not enough to eat. and singaporeans will be scared to do anything to the maid knowing that there will be a routine check every 3 months.

Answer 16

This is not a matter of race - a Singaporean couple and a Filipina maid. This is about the psychological and physical superiority feelings of the couple who think that they own the maid because they are paying her salaries. Mr Szami & Mrs. Siti, you cannot go to work and keep your career without help from other people like your maid. You dont own people, best thing you can do is report the maid to the agency if she s hurting your kid.



Abusive employers should also get an equivalent sanction as any person jailed in Changgi for minor or major criminal cases. Human rights violation is a crime. LAVENDER

Answer 17

I believe a multi-prong approached should be used to prevent this

unfortunate behavior.



Employers should undergo a test to assist them in understanding their needs

and how a maid can meet the specific needs and what changes should be made

to their family lifestyle should the maid join the family. Maids are also

fellow human beings, not baggage to be passed around for convenience.



Once the process is completed, the employers will also be able to determine

which type of maids are best suited to their family and their needs. Some

people may require an English speaking maid, hence a maid from say Phil

will be more suitable. Others might need a maid that can understand certain

dialects or Malay, so an Indo maid may be better. When the employer has

reached that decision, they should be scheduled to attend a class on

understanding the culture and habits of the country where their maid is

from. This will then help them to be better able to understand certain

behaviors or mannerisms that maybe alien to a Singaporean.



When the employer has successfully gone through the processes above, the

selection of the maid then begins. When we reach this stage, we will expect

the maid to have also gone through similar processes in learning how to use

and maintain household products in Singapore, understand the reasonable

expectations of employers regards to cooking, care-giving, baby-sitting

etc. The maid should also have gone through an induction program where she

will also learn acceptable dress codes and manners.



Once the maid selection is complete, employers will also be expected to

provide evidence of reasonable living conditions for the maid such as a

proper bed, a wardrobe to keep clothes and proper toiletries. Employers

will also be required to furnish a reasonable work time-table to determine

chores, times for rest, etc.



Maids should be allowed to 1 off day a month to attend support groups where

the maids can share what they have experienced and/or learn during their

time with the employers and also support each other when in times of need

when they feel homesick etc. Maids who fail to turn up need to provide

proper excuse such as medical certs. This will also help to keep the

support groups alert to any possible cases of abuse if the maid/s fail to

turn up without reason or appear looking mistreated or fearful.

Answer 18

From what I observe in the public these days, maids are treated poorly.



Eg no. 1 - Male owner bought like 4-5 packs of 10kg dog food, called the maid, "come, carry all these."

The poor maid so small size need to juggle with 40-50kg of food.

Male owner walk quickly to elsewhere, maid just follow slowly behind.

The rest of the family members just walk & shop by themselves.

You see a lot of such examples when leaving supermarkets.

Maid carry everything for the family.



Eg no. 2 - Kids are the ones bullying the maid. Usually they hit the maid, pull their shirts. But the parents do not care at all, just focus on their own shopping. The poor maid can't scold the kids, otherwise she will get scolding for it.



Of course there are nice employers but it's pretty rare.



I believe many bosses here won't hit their staff just cos they made a mistake.

Likewise, maid shouldn't be treated this way.

They too have a salary, not being bought home to be a slave.

Mutual respect is important on both sides.



Probably super heavy fines & deposit (not refunded) will help.

Publish their pictures to shame them will surely help.



Maybe we need to have the courtesy campaign & moral education stuff back in the system.

Answer 19

Although I think that is it totally wrong to abuse the maids in anyway. I think I agree that CCTVs should be installed to have proof of what the maid did. Most of the time, maids to do not compensate for the things they steal from employees like stealing food and other things as it is regarded as "small" staff, but it is very unfair to the employers. There are maids that poison their employers, invite "guest" into the house without permission, go out in the middle of the night to for a "second" job, abuse babies and old folks, and do not do their jobs at all all day long. I often see maids that were suppose to walk the dogs gather together to chat with one another at a secluded corner. The dogs just sits by them and not being walked and others just talk for endless hours on the phone without doing their work. From the employers point of view, sometimes it can get very stressful if you are in their shoes. So, I think the punishment should be on a case to case basis. Some maids are really good too and there are very kind employers.

Answer 20

Just because they got a few extra dollars to employ a maid that doesn't mean they got the right to whack them, or just because s is paying the salary that make her a boss and the maid a servant, so I am also a boss when I buy a ticket to travel on Silk Air an all the attendants are my servants and I can scold them, or even hit them when their service is below par.I think Silk Air will not want to keep this tyrant after her release.

All maid abuser should be caned or jailed if possible as a fine doesn't hurt, money is not a problem to them.Shame them by releasing their photos to the media, let every body know who they are and where are they from.Same thing if the maid is in the wrong same punishment should be melted on them.

Answer 21

I think both parties must have protection. Meaning there has to be a contract specifically on violence or abuse. There must be a direct line where any of the parties can make a report of such act. Agencies must give trainings to the maids not just in household work but also the understanding of the differences of culture. The Singapore government must be extra active or participative in solving this this issue. Before a maid is released there has to be clear expectations between the agency and future boss of the maids. Paying someone for work does not mean that we can treat them like any way we want. If the boss find the maid not doing well in her work then send back right away to the agency and ask for a replacement and agencies must make sure that the maids have protection.

Answer 22

What they did is unacceptable.But nowadays, I often witness maids being negligent with the kids they are taking care of..for example there was one incident when i brought my kids to the playground i saw a group of maid bringing their employers children to play but the moment after the children take off to the slides and swings the maids gather and turn their backs on them and then one toddler hit his head at one of the railings and was crying and the maid just turn her back n continue chit chatting with the others until i walk to their direction to see what happen to the boy then they stop talking,even rolled their eyes just because i showed my concern...just imagine your two year old having a big baluku and you just ignored and show no empathy. I am not sure what she will answer to her madam and sirs..but as a mother I feel for the kid..not that i have anything against them(of course they need socialising and all but not at the expense of somebody else's kids..),I also have a maid by the way..and blessed with a good maid even though they are fresh maid.

Especially when crossing the road many at times the maids hold on to the children bags but don't hold their hands when crossing the roads,the employers should emphasise to their maids about safety precautions before commencement of work and do spot checks once in a while. Trust is important on the basis of employee and employer relationship but then actions speak louder than words.

The problem lies with us the employers because we are too dependent on them and always take for granted the maids should know everything,because the maids don't come from the same environment and place they would not always know sometimes their judgement would only be made better if we as employers are responsible to let them know about the necessary safety precautions because just because they go thru the safety course doesnt mean they know everything. Good Communication is crucial.

Answer 23

Whatever the employers did is not at all acceptable, whether the wife blames it on job stress, or the child is dearest to her, at least one of the couple should check the temper of the other. And it doesn't look like they are doing this the first time.



Just as we have to have stricter penalties for employers who stray, I also can't help noticing how maids abuse young children when their employers are not present. I have seen some children pinched and slapped by their maids at bus-stops or clinics when the employers are not near the vicinity. Once I even saw a maid repeatedly scolding a paralysed man on wheelchair. Below my block, there are maids who come with young children on the pretext of going to playground to meet their 'Taxi' driver boyfriends. The kids are not attended as they will be fooling around,



I feel like tracking where this maid is living and informing the employers. But I am a working mum, i just don't have the time to do that. All I do is give them a cold hard stare.

Answer 24

Those who ill treat will forever the same even if punished severely. The only ways is punish, fine and cannot employ any maid in the future which the government has done. But there is still ways to employ maid not under their name by their relative. This is the lop hole. Government slip at one time where a distance relative employ the maid to be use by the one who mistreat them. I think the government as should shame them in public by putting up poster for a few months followed by fine, punishment of jail and doing social works. The public should be aware and report any ill treatment of maids (perhaps rewards). The government cannot work alone. Both the public and government together should work together to built a better place to work, stay for a better tomorrow and future. Maids are also human being not animal who work hard with miserable pay packet and get bullied.

Answer 25

The best you can do is set up a monitoring system - have social workers make regular visits to check on the situation and suggests ways that both employer and maid can manage negative situations. I imagine that it would reduce the number of cases but the additional cost to the employer would be a source of more frustration.

In the end, it is up to people - you can't teach humanity and compassion. These things must come from the heart.

I don't think maids are completely blameless. I have had some particularly trying experiences with maids in the supermarket. They need to be counseled and trained too to perform at an acceptable level.

Answer 26

But what about the child, what has the maid done to the child. We never adress the underlying issues. It seems like the govt focusses more on the safety of the maid, rather than the safety of the child, who is vulnerable and being abused in the hands of the maid. I am not saying that abusing the maid is right. we can adress the issues in a more mature way of speaking openly to the maid and making her understand what is to be done. If the children are not being treated properly, then there is no point in having a maid.What the fmily would have gone through when the mother was jailed.

Answer 27

A lot of time those who abused the maid tend to be those who are educated...yes many treat their maid badly but still think they are ok people.



All these people should be barred from taking maid and MOM should check if they are using someone else name to apply for the maid. Fines should be 5 fold more if they are barred and still engage a maid.



wage level has increase but the pay of these maids still remain low compare to other country.



Kaisu Singaporean employers just want cheap and good. No hand phone, no off day, no talking to fellow maids..... as if the maid is sold to them...have you ever thought if your own child is working oversea for the same amount of money and totally disconnect from you? living like a prisoner/ slave?



Try going to the maidlibrary.com,you can find a whole list of complaint from ugly employers. it reflect how impatient, unforgiving and mean are they. MOM show visit the site and study, what happen to these people, they seen to have unrealistic expectation on the maid.



Of course there are still some very nice employer and very naughty maid around (that drive people up the wall).

Answer 28

From experience working with maids, there are really good maids as well as very bad maids. A maid is paid to do a job and she had accepted it. In most cases, a maid's job would required taking care of young children as well as baby or the elderly. Some maids are unable to perform their task and as a result a child or baby may be hurt. The ability to perform the task is sometime subjective and like employees, there are some that know how to do it and did it well, another may not know how to do the task but willing to learn and improves from it while yet another may know how to do it but do not really care about doing it right.



When someone dear to you is hurt by another for whatever reason, it may agitates you so much so that aggression takes hold of you and result in you responding physically. In this case, the employers hit the maid!



In most circumstances, it is unlikely for the employers to hurt the maid if the case is the first time and from the actions of the employers, it is likely that it may have happens a few times without the maid improving.



The action of the employers resulted that the maid is hurt so is the action of the maid that resulted in the child getting hurt. In both cases, the maid and employers are wrong. Both should be punished for abuse.



However, to prevent such incident in future, it is important that parents understand their responsibility as parents who is required to bring up their children and not just give birth to them. Parents should therefore stop taking maid in Singapore and manage their life style in a balanced manner to include the bring up of children without maid.



With more child care centres and after school care centres now available, the government can discourage the hiring of maid by parents whose children can enroll in these centres. In this way there will be lesser domestic workers issue in future. The question ask should be; what can be done to ensure domestic workers treat their care well?

Answer 29

Stop anybody from ever hiring a maid again after being convicted of maid abuse. That should include members of the same household in order not to circumvent such a decision. If people know that they will not get a new maid they will start treating maids with more respect or get what they deserve. Or would you want to work for an abusive employer?

Answer 30

I really agree with David who provided such a detailed analysis of the situation. Having two young children and having previously employed foreign maids, I could really understand the frustration and suffering of the employers of certain type of maids! Yes, the employers and not the maids! Some who could not control their own anger becomes the "victim" of such maids. Why do I say victim? Because very often it is the maids who refuse to follow instruction, refuse to cooperate or simply can't do a proper job even after repeated and countless times of reminder. It is very frustrating for the employer as they constantly have to face such sub-standard work esp. when it comes to the care of their loved ones.



You may say the employer can always change the lousy maid, but in reality, a typical foreign maid takes 6 months to train and the new one who comes is usually the same standard or even worse. That is the reason why I am Maid-Free and happier now even though I've more housework to do. My children are older and I'm able to enrol them in childcare.



It is a very difficult balance and choice to make. It is stressful to hold a full-time job, look after the children and household at the same time and having to "look after" a maid adds to the stress. It sometimes also depends on luck whether the maid is a good one or one that gives trouble. My take for employers is to control yourself and your anger and do not let the maids take control of your emotions. They have nothing to lose but think of your own reputation and what you have establish and it is not worth to lose your anger whether she did it purposely or not. If the maids cannot be counsel or refuse to improve, change them or even, change the maid agency where you got them from.



More needs to be done by the maid agencies. There seems to be no proper training or insufficient training given to the maid in general and the maid agencies earn Big Bucks from both the maid and the employer. Ask the agent for help, afterall they are paid for it. I wonder is there anywhere to look for help for the Employers, if the employers face maid problems. I think not just the maids, the employers also need good advice if they face problem maids.

Answer 31

The whole system needs to totally overhauled.



1) Maids should be independent and live outside the place of employment and go to work everyday as per usual. Part time foreign maids should be encouraged not outlawed.



2) Maid salaries should be revised to a more decent level and the levy

abolished



3) Employer bond should be abolished.



4) Proper employment contract that is enforced by law and has minimum hours and days off for basic salary.



This might not stop abuse, but it dismantles the current interdependency that forces the maid and employer into an unhealthy interdependency that defies international labor conventions and human rights conventions.

Answer 32

I do not condone violence against maids. However, it is to be noted that such acts violence are usually not premeditated (unless its a psycho case!) and caused by built up of tensions by both employer and maid. This will not change unless there's a change on the way the maid is employed and both parties have a way out of the employment contract without financial punity. My suggestion is for the governments (both the sending and receiving ones) to take over from the employment agencies. The charges should be minimised (by increasing the maid levy which will be paid only if the employment contract is in place) and the employer and maid each pays half of the return airfare. This way, its less painful for employer to send the maid home as well as for maid to resign. Currently, employer gets frustrated when faced with an underperforming and/or abusive maid when he/she paid so much in fee to employ the maid and will have to pay more to get a replacement. For the maid, if she finds out that the work is not suitable for her and/or not comforatble working with children/elderly she is not able to break the contract as she is burdened by the agency fee. My 2 cents!

Answer 33

These employers got worked up seeing their daughter crying. Maids are human beings, they should be respected. We as employers have no right to hit our maids because maids are also other people's children, if we think the other way around. Will you think if these maids parents in their home town heard their daughters in singapore being misstreated? How will their parents feel? Government should do something about abusing maids. Government should black list any abusive employers from employing any maids again. I think there should be a school for teaching maids how to manage to do housechores. Maids should learn to understand the practical work like doing house work, taking care of children, elderly, etc. Some maids have no experience how to take care children, some they have not done any house work in their village. Children in the village and city are treated differently by their parents from the village and city. For example, some poor villagers, they can't afford to buy milk, or mother's milk has not enough supply, they feed their 1 month old baby with mashed banana to keep their baby full. The middle class parents, they will not do that untill the baby is 4 months old. We have to understand one thing about our maids that they are from villages. Furthermore, they have not done any automated machines.

Answer 34

let's be fair! the employers are wrong to raise their hands to physically hurt the maid but do you think they are the physically absuive type? i dun think so. the maid could have been giving them lots of problems prior to this incident.



there are good and bad maids and employers. when the maids steal or purposely spoilt the household items ( mayb as revenge ), do employers report the maid immediately? especially household items, the employers have to replace them from their own pocket while the maids are just being warned. when maids run away cos they want to be with their "boyfriends", the employers not only have to make police report but also search for maids. that is on top of taking time off from work and arranging for alternative childcaring.



there are enough laws in singapore to protect the maids but NONE has been done to protect employers.



take for example of TB, maids come from countries where TB is common and when they develop the disease here (TB can hide in bodies for yrs) the so-called "medical" insurance doesn't even cover the treatment!!!! so how, employer pays and it is not cheap! the constant follow-ups and medication are both time and money consuming! i know cos i went thru with mine, she even had to have surgery before finding out her lump (thankfully not cancer) was caused by TB! we had to shoulder the entire cost of nearly S$5k without any medical claims! there was also another reported case of the maid (5mths working) developing TB and spreading to employer and young son, again medical insurance cannot be claimed.



i think MOM should start looking into the medical insurance claims for TB, other infectious diseases testing (hep B and C, cos there is NO cure, only liver failure).instead of educating the employers, keep a tighter rein on the maid agencies on how they select the maids then the agencies will then educate the maids.



as for the maids, i think the agencies should stop collecting high (S$2.4k) loan from them. many maids are already poor and the loan amount can cause them much mental stress, esp if their families are desparate for cash.



SO stop pointing the finger at employers and perhaps MOM should start doing something constructive to help all parties!

Answer 35

MOM must play their part well, and not just talk and blame others. Not all maid employers are bad. In fact most maid employers are good. it is just that the maids today are very stubborn, and they are here not to work, but to look for a good life. they will pretend to be hard working, but actually, deep in their thoughts, they want to make new friends here and are always thinking about their own activities when the employers are not around. you can see many of these maids gethering around and partying at playgrounds when they are suppose to care for the old and the youngs. And when they are to run an errand, they will take this opportunity to either meet their friends or talk on the phone while they are away from the house or employers. they just do not have the right attitude. Many employers get so mad and lose their cool, because of these maids. all maids coming here to work, have to told that they have to be serious about coming here to look they think that they are being protected by the MOM, because the MOM is sending a wrong signal to these maids. MOM should play their part not only to guide them against bad employers, but also to warn them against bad attitude, that they will be send back and will not be allowed to come back to singapore, if they infringe or receive complaint about them. this action will ensure that these maids that come over are serious about working here, and their will be better harmany between employers and maids. Of course, there are also employers who are bad and ill treat their employees. they think that they are paying to get a slave, and not a maid.

Answer 36

There are good and bad maids, you cannot be assured of a good helper, and a bad maid, thus to begin start doing the chore yourself. You will appreciate the effort that helpers put in. I had numerous encounter of bad maids, sending them home is not the solution, thus I have decided to stop having one and start doing housework on my own.By the way MOM is not helpful in dealing with this. They ask you to attend a course so that you can accommodate the maid. They do not understand that it is not you, but the maid that is misbehaving.

Now so peaceful, and healthy as I got to do mandatory exercise...no more excuses of maid ill treating my daughter, and what more no more missing valuables, money,lousy cooking, dirty house, uninvited maids in my house when I am away, and of course lots and lots of privacy..

So do your own chores and if you need one due to unforeseen circumstances,then be patience,be accommodating be nice be generous and be forgiving. They are humans too..some good some bad.

I sacrifice my job just to stay home..when my daughter is old enough, then I will start work, and perhaps will look for a part time helper.

Answer 37

I believe the sole responsibility lies with the maid's agent and then after, the maid herself. Most times, I have noticed the agents advising, almost warning them in some instances, not to antagonise the employers and not to create problems. They are pretty much warned not to tell outside what happens inside the house. The maids become fearful of this. It stems the fact in their mind that it is always the maid's fault.

The agents have a sole responsibility to advise the maids to seek outside help the very instance of trouble at home. The maids come from poor backgrounds and are socially introvert in a foreign land. They have to be given confidence by the agents. They have to be advised that this is just a regular job and not tied by any social bounds.

The maids also need to address the situation. They should be known that help is just a phone call away or a door step away. And regular visits from the maid's agents definitely helps. This helps the interaction between the maid, agent and employer fair and inhibited.

Answer 38

No reason to abuse the maid if she did something wrong. There are good and bad maids but we have to settle it in civilised manner.

When comes to children, parents are their first teacher and guardian. Dont depend on maid to do everything. Sometimes children cried just for attention and the parents think the maid must have made them cry.I believe parents should spend more time with their kids and they will understand how other people who look after their kids go thru. Quality times are more important than getting somebody else take charge and then blame them or punish them when things go wrong.

As for the Farhana and Yahkup, they deserve a hell of punishment for being so freaking uncivilized.

Answer 39

1. This country does not consist of Singaporean right? This is a global city with people from other countries right? Hence, the question should be : what can be done to prevent employer from mistreating their domestic workers



2. This is vicious cycle, maid's employer herself is stress out at work (or abuse by their own superior at work). So where does she vent her anger? Definitely, she will pass it own to her surbordinates at home (who happened to be the maid). So, the maid, even though she may make a slightest mistake, can trigger off the abuse by her employer.



3. Communication between employer and maid is a big issue. Patient is the other thing to take note. Life in Singapore is super hectic, you want fast result, quick solution. Maid comes from country with a easy and relax lifestyle will have undergo intensive training to pick up and adapt the fast past lifestyle in Singapore. So these two (Communication and Patient) has to merge.



Solution : Send both the maid's employer and her boss for (how to handle manage your work stress, EQ and learn to be a patient individual).



Otherwise you have to :

1 . Imposed heavy fine/lengthen jail term to maid's employer for the abuse

2. Bar the employer from employing maid for 2 years or more.

Answer 40

Legislation and enforcement should be the answer. Legislated laws are useless if nobody is effectively enforcing it. I have already heard so many sad stories of maids being abused by employers no matter how good she performs her duties. Maids are employees, albeit household ones. And maids should be accustomed to the same rights given to company employees(dayoffs, proper foods, etc.). It's ridiculous to say that employers have the right to physically harm their maids no matter what the reason is. Try causing harm to an office employee and let's see if you'll be able to run scott-free from it. The problem with today's society is their inexplicable tolerance to abuse towards the less-fortunate. Be it maids or foreign construction workers. And only the effective enforcement of legislated laws against these practices could minimize, if not totally prevent, the same from happening continuously.

Answer 41

Most singaporeans especially , those who do not have real experience of managing people can run into this problems and have many times over the years . These problems happens due to the fact that people lack "values system" within them selves . Subconsciously or unconsciously they may have issues within themselves . It cld be wrong beliefs ,negative motivations ,or wrong patterns of behaviour that has been stored within their mind and that gives cuase to such acts of habits .

Firstly all employers shd be made to go thru a stringent test, a wriiten test on managing pple / emotional quotient etc . Their back grd must be checked >> I mean i know pple who change domestic helpers 5 to 6 tims a yr becuase "they think the domestic helper is wrong " . For such pple the Manpower ministry must send officers to check on them . Some employers expect too much frm the helping hands ... they expect them to do the work like the home owners them selves . LOL ... if they cld do that then they wont be here working as domestic helper wld they ! And finally the government MUST put up a strict punishment for such physical mistreatment . A jail sentence of 3 mths will defitely frighten all employers frm laying their hands on the domestic helpres . Singapore is not the only one that employs foreign domestic helpers .. so we can learn frm other countries too where such cases a very much lesser .

Answer 42

I have a housekeeper but never scold them even if they make mistake. I will only send them back to agency quietly if they do not improve within a decent period of time. But this only give advantage to the agency as they transfer them and make more money from 3 parties, the maid, new owner n old employer. I would suggest that the government need to do something inorder to protect employer and domestic worker from the agencies as the contract some how and rather is to the agent advantage. That is why, sometime we have to put up with the housekeeper even if they are no good. Can the law protect the employer and domestic worker???

Answer 43

I think there are too much regulations protecting maid's right in singapore. However, there is none to protect employers' welfare. Firstly, about the off-day for maid. If something happens with the maid, who gets the blame? only employers are at the losing end. we lose our bond, we have to send her back, worst case, we lose the balance of our advance maid loan payment. Second case, my cousins just took an Indonesian maid as they just got twin babies. she was well behave and promised to work hard. They all felt lucky to have her and vice versa. 3 months later my cousins took the maid back to indonesia to visit their families. the maid ran away the next day. She stole a handphone and some money. my cousins lost the remaining 7 months of the maid loan paid in advance. the maid agency said there is nothing can be done. so, do we need to chain the maid ????? Third case, my neighbour maid was having difficult time with her husband back home in Philippine and requested to be return. my neighbour counselled her and ask her to stay calm and wait awhile before making a decision. The maid told my neighbour that if she is not sent back immediately, she will start to hit her self and call the police to report maid abuse. How?????

Answer 44

Nobody likes to be a maid. But some people cannot be trained and believe that they are very smart. If I were to have maids with such mentality, I would go insane or ‘get rid’ of them. With the pressure that the working adults face in the ‘challenging world’ and they still have to bear with their maid after work? I cannot imagine what will happen after that. Our boss abuses us and we abuse our maid. So the bosses’ mindset must change. The best is we have the power to survive without a maid. I have friends who renew their maids for decades. Thus having a ‘good’ maid is win-win situation. I would love to have such capable maids when there is a need.

Answer 45

The answer to this (and I don't claim to have it) goes well beyond psych exams, punitive measures or training. It comes down essentially to how we have been raised, and how we raise our own children.



In a culture or society where the focus is on studies - to the point that all other aspects of life are removed - we raise an adult population completely unequipped to handle the kind of empathetic interpersonal interactions that are required when faced with the minor and major problems of having a full time hired employee in your care.



Let's not kid ourselves, hiring another human being to be your live-in helper/maid is a HUGE responsibility. You are accepting a person from a completely different cultural/social/economic realm, and integrating them into your most personal space. You are giving them access to your secrets, to your most precious possessions. Anything less than a subtle but generous approach leaves you open to suspicion and regret.



You wouldn't want your employer to arbitrarily beat you, abuse you or humiliate you at work. Consider that perspective the next time you feel like laying hands on your employee. You have all the power; they do not.



Frankly speaking, if I were forced to offer a solution, I'd say that NO helper be allowed to 'live in'; the government, or some outside hiring body, would arrange daily hours over the course of a contract period, and the helper would leave their employers home every day at a certain time - living in a simple dormatory-styled housing evenings.



This measure would ensure an adequate measure of power for the helper, and force we employers to be clear that these people are here to help us around the house, not to become surrogate parents.



It would also protect employers from less-than-honorable workers, and relieve us of the upkeep and stress that comes with having to consider this person in our homes 24 hours a day.

Answer 46

1) Domestic worker laws



Like any other occupation for instance, when a foreign worker is "approved" for a company, the company takes full responsibility to ensure the worker's welfare is taken care.The employment laws are there to guide the company and so perhaps there is also a need to have a law for domestic workers.Workers are paid overtime when they work extra hours, the domestic maid should be given equal rights.



2) Avenue to report abuse



Domestic workers should also have the legal rights to inform the authorities should they be abused.

There must be channels set up for them to do so.



3) Visit by authority to check on domestic workers' welfare



The CDC could act as laison to check if domestic workers are abused.



4) Monthly or Quarterly Dialogue with these workers at community centres



5) Education for the family members on how to treat the domestic workers as workers and helpers and not maids.We may need to change the designation to house attendants etc.

This help to upgrade their status in society.



6) Stricter penalty for family that abuse maids.For instance,Community services at old folks home etc.



7) classes for domestic workers to assist them to understand Sinagpore culture as well as employer expectations.



Like most foreign workers here, they are aware they are here to make money and send back to their family at home. Their employers are also aware of the contributions made by the workers. Here we see a win-win situation.We will need to educate the " lady "of the house, usually wives and mothers or mother in laws to better treat their domestic workers like a family member.



8) Incentives for those families that set good examples. Some of my colleagues have had maids for 20 years and these maids are treated like family members.They travel with the family.These folks need to be applauded with recognition or even have the levy reduced.



9) For families that abused maids, We need to erect a Hall of Shame...as we know Singaporeans are usually worried about FACE factor.



10) The society is the best educators for these abusers. What we do not condone, they will not do.

We see domestic workers have to get up at 5am and go to bed only after the family members retire. This is abuse!



Before a domestic worker is approved, we will need to educate the employers and do a thorough interview to acertain that the family is a caring one.



Think ..why are there few companies that been accused of abusing workers?It is usually the agents that abused the workers. We urge the authority to clamp down on these agencies. Their interest is only money and not human oriented.



When we saw the documentary of the Indian workers plight, we were appalled. We hope the authority will give harsher punishment for people who abuse any human being or animal no matter who or where they are from?

Answer 47

To physically hit others is wrong. No matter what is the reason.

There is no employer who take a maid just to beat her up. Employers need maid because usually that is the last choice. Higher cost of living forces mothers to work for a comfortable life. Thus they have a maid. Why would she get a maid just to beat her? Why DOES she beat her?

The physical abuse is wrong - but the question remains : WHY DO EMPLOYERS BEAT MAIDS? Definitely not for fun.



Why does nobody asked this question? What triggers the abuse? If the maid is super duper good, will she get beaten? Triggers for abuse are usually due to uncontrollable anger. Why do employers can't control their anger anymore? Are they insane? Look at their life....they have children, they work for a better life...they took a maid for their parents....are these irresponsiblity and inhumane?



What they need is to learn to control their anger. And what the maid agencies and MOM need to do is to realise that maids are the cause for the uncontrollable anger, the cause to make employers lose their minds. I'm sure no parents will want to beat a maid just so they can go to jail and leave their children. Think aboout that.



Employers are humans too, not just the maids. It has to work both ways. It is not fair to ask employers to remain understanding daily and smile at their incompetency. Maids are humans just like employers. Maids have to treat employers like humans too.

Answer 48

NO ONE is going to believe the word of a poor domestic worker over the word of someone who is rich and powerful. No one. The rights of domestic workers are less important that the rights of the wealthy. The current laws are barely enforceable. Most crimes of this nature are unreported and everyone knows it. Singapore's domestic worker abuse laws are worthless if lives are already destroyed by the time something can be done about it.



THE ONLY WAY is to reduce the power employers have over domestic workers. Currently, Singaporeans hold domestic workers hostage using their employment passes. Domestic workers can be deported too easily and they make too little money too stand up for themselves. Give domestic workers the right to find another employer without fear of being deported. Investigate Employers that burn through domestic workers for abuse and apply fines with the understanding that a portion will go towards assisting domestic workers with help where appropriate.



HOWEVER, Singapore's reputation is that it loves money above all else. Second only to this is it's reputation that the pride Singapore has of its wealthy appearance. The LOVE of money is the root of all evil. Singapore loves it's evil more than the rights of domestic workers. Fixing the problem will make Singapore look bad. Singapore does not have the humility to resolve this issue. Singapore will always be a slave state and Singaporeans will always lie about it, point at other countries that have similar situations, or blame foreigners.



MY ONLY REGRET in writing this reply I posted will surely anger those weak in morality and innocents will suffer for it... but something must be said. NOT ALL Singaporeans and those living in Singapore behave this way, but many do and many lives are destroyed on a daily basis because of it.

Answer 49

what about the maid mistreating the Elderly & children when both employer is not around.

This is only one big case out of all in the news where the employers must be very angry with the maid for quiet long times. Its not just only the daughter crying matter. There is much pictures in it between them. Why dont u ask the question. Why the employers give the WILLof 6 mil to the maid.

There is no ending between Maid & Employer. Only WIN OR LOSE.

Both parties depends on their LUCK.

Answer 50

Singaporean likes to complain and complain, then start blaming the government or agency for not being strict on the maid. So called educated, so used a bit of your brain - How much can government do to improve the quality of the maid? Little. Reason is simple.... maids are from oversea not local students or retired workforce. And if you want to enforce strict requirement on them, the most they work somewhere else, after all the employers in other countries can afford better pay also.



So why complaint on something that we can do little about it? We should reflect on ourselves and see what is the best problem?



Never expect a maid to care and love your child the way you do. You are the mother , she is the maid, unless you treat the maid equally like sister, per hap she will slowly learn to love your kid like hers too and this take time to build that relationship.



If you have this mentality, likely you will enjoy having good maids around.



If you still cannot accept that fact, so scare that a maid will hurt your kids, poison your food then please don't employ a maid, do everything yourself. In the past, our parents can take care of 6-10 kids without much complain and still got to serve the in-laws. They hand-wash our uniform, school shoes, polished them white, 3 meals a day etc. Nowadays, working mothers got in-law to "work for them", care for their baby, some women don't even cook.



Some times I wonder, if these working mother really feel like a "complete" mother? They cannot give their children attention but expect the maid to play the role? End up, what we have is a bunch of emperor and princess that only know how to order maids around with no basic respect. They need maid to fetch them drink, flush toilet for them after use, clear their rubbish, sharpen their pencil, make their bed etc etc.



A maid is just to assist, not to take over your role as a parent. If you still got complain, go try to find a Singaporean maid and treat her like you treat your indonesian or filipino maid and see what happen.



So stop ordering around, if you can do the job yourself, don't used a maid.

If you cannot do yourself and you need a maid, the more you should be humble with her. So what if you pay her, someone else can pay her higher elsewhere !!

Answer 51

When a person employs a maid, she becomes an employer. She needs to know and learn her new role. Maid agencies have a responsibility to inform a new maid what are her duties and where and how to get help if she is abused. The maid agencies must keep in touch with the maids and employers and be the mediators when there are problems and also report cases of abuse. Singaporeans who abused their maids should not be allowed to have any more maids. Their punishment would then be- wash the oily pots and pans, clean the baby/pets poo, keep the children from falling at escalators/ over railings/over chairs.Let them do all these and more. Then people will have second thoughts, even when their maids "push their hot buttons." Since such people perpetuate the system of BAD bosses in our midst , they should not be allowed to be bosses.

Answer 52

If anything is to be done to improve the situation, the authority (in this case, say MOM) have to be fair to both sides ~ the employer as well as the employee, which in this case is the maid. First, from the employer perspective. Before the employer hires a maid, he should find out more specific information first. For eg. which nationality he/she prefers, clear indication of salary and benefits, level of English proficiency (spoken and written). Clear definition of the duties to be done by the maid and able to meet the boss expectations. Also, local authority can give seminars or some courses to guide employers on how to treat staff better,how to build a good rapport with them. Not saying that all employers are unreasonable. There are good ones and also bad ones. It would be a very sweeping statement to classify all employers under "the cruel, slave driver type". In the end, it boils down to individual upbringing and inbred character of the person. Having been a former employee myself, I am aware of some of the unrealistic demands from some bosses. Throwing around big threatening words like "commitment", "sacrifice" and so on. The thing they forget is this. Every working individual in Singapore expects a certain level of job security (be it from a lowly cleaner to a high rank officer in corporate firms). Some bosses are willing to provide that, some don't. Without job security, there is no job satisfaction. And without satisfaction, hired employees will not meet the boss expectation. If there is a substantial reason why a lot of unhappiness is not said and discussed openly, it is because of the fear of losing their current jobs and thus losing their main incomes. And a few months of unemployment in Singapore is as good as you being sent back to your home country (if your are not a local, does not have much savings and family relatives backing you up). Reason why I can sympathize with them ~ I was in the same situation before, albeit from a different working background. They should ask themselves "Why this maid cannot perform up to my expectations?". Some maids are not very well educated, some come from rural regions from poor countries (say like Burma, Indonesia, Philippines) and cannot even understand what the employers want them to do. I have heard of a case before. Simple scenario. Employer tells her to BOIL the egg, but the maid serves her a FRIED egg. "BOIL" and "FRY". 2 words, 2 vastly different meanings, 2 different impression from the employer. If the maid BOILED the egg, the boss would have been happy. But having served the FRIED egg, that automatically lowers the boss impression of the maid. What the boss can do is to sympathize with the maid and show her ONCE at least. If she cannot understand, write the word down on paper and demonstrate to her ONCE. So, next time, if the employer asks, even if she cannot understand the specific word, she can just read the word from the paper and understand what The key to this is open, cordial communication. Not resorting to violence (hitting and torturing the maid). What happens next? The maid will slowly resent you and keep a grudge. Obviously, she will not speak out loudly and clearly and next thing, you can expect disobedience and. Worse still, if the maid hates the boss enough, she may even loot your belongings, spike your food or drinks, have sex with their temporary boyfriends here in the house when the employer are not around or even take out their anger on the elder people and young innocent babies who cannot fend for themselves just bcoz they hate the boss. Very common case and often read in newspapers. (To be continued)

Answer 53

Has any one even thought of what can be done to preven Singaporean employer from being abused by their domestic workers?



I am asking so, as I have recently been abused emotionally by my dosmetic helper. But nothing is in place to protect the employer. There is no place I could turn to for help. Govt will juz give in to these helpers whatever they want when they run off to the embassy. The incident left me maidless and my children missing the "Auntie", so much of distress caused and yet the maid can go off freely without feeling any guilt.



So much of protecting the workers due to the miniority who were being abused, I think more should be looked into for the employer too.

Answer 54

Communication - Essential and appropriate talk (discussion) between employer and maid from Day 1 of the engagement. Both parties must understand each other's use of language (including body language) right from start and therefore interactive process must take place immediately after the engagement of services.

Playing field - A standard list of abusive and non abusive advice must be given to both parties - elaborating the punitive actions that will be imposed if either or both parties are in breach of the spirit of the engagement.

Generally such simple processes as above are ignored totally or superficially accepted and worst of all having an assumption that neither party will impose harm to each other or their family members. Obviously other members of the employer must be collectively be included in this pre and post engagement commitment. Employer to manage the maid as if he or she is your subordinate colleague. On the other hand you need to be humane and considerate i.e. think before you lose your cool or take something else as your punching bag when you are down with stress etc.

Answer 55

Singaporeans have high expectations, especially when monetary is involved. Some failed to see beyond monetary and take a look inside the human being who service them. Domestic employees are treated like robots, if faulty sent them back to service center (Maid Agency).

Having a maid is like having a life partner. Some maids are God sent, some can be challenging which depends to one expectation. I know of a friend who require the maid to omit housework and just care, educate and play with her four kids. The maid is contented with a day off.

Another, an employer who expects tip top quality both housekeeping and nanny service in return for every Sunday off.



Seriously, it should be mandatory for prospective employers and employee to go for counselling prior engagement of contract. The counsellor should asses only the mental, behavioral and social aspect. Counselling inclusive of anger management and "how to be a fair boss". How would you like your boss slap your head each time a customer complain ? Walk the workers shoes, you need their help as much as they need your money. What are you trying to teach your children if you show such an example? Your parents would be ashamed to have raised their child to be a maid abuser.



One of the best ways to touch our hearts is television shows. It reach out to both young and old. The show should show both sides. Good and bad employer/ employee. Good and bad and situations where domestic workers could reach out for help . It should show situation where employee bully the little ones or the aged. Do bear in mind there are two faced maids who used intimidation on these helpless ones and charade like an angel. It works vice versa. Of course we rarely hear the maid abusing the minor or the age unless dead and it made headlines.

With that, I hope it'll help.

Answer 56

Most of the abused cases are of those maids who have no access to the out side world. Meaning, they do not have off days, they can not talk to anybody. Why can't the authorities see the statistics?

Most of the maid agencies are not kind enough to understand the maids flight or they are simply money minded that they do not care at all. I heard a lot of stories that often, whenever the maids complain to their agents, they will scold them and even frighten them. They also made their charges sign a contract stating the maids have off days and the salary is of minimum but they are all false. Why not make it compulsory to pay the salary through any banks under the maids personal saving account? Also, make it compulsory to have them off days at least once a month (seriously). We need to rest,

de stress, and recharge our energy.

Answer 57

I guess some of your opinions here are unhumane. Police did their homework on any investigation. Both the culprits (couple being mention above) are at fault here and they were punished. They deserved from their actions. As for those who thinks sided with the employer, you must be ashamed of yourselves.Are you human. What if your the person being brutally hurt, will you do the same and report the matter? The maids usually works so hard, day in and day out. They are also human what ever their status. I guess stiffer penalties from longer jail time with caning and monetary penalties (should be highly compensated) to those who abused maids are the answers here folks. So those who'll be thinking of committing such acts can think twice before they do such bad deeds to maids.

Answer 58

We have many ways of preventing this to happen;



- Before the maid will start to work the employer must provide a dos and don't for the maid to be aware.

Orientation.



- Employer must treat their maids as friends or the best is as part of the family.

In this case the maid will not feel separated or aloof and the employer will feel comfortable



- If in a case the child cries... employer must investigate and must not react one sided which most of us react when our kids cries.

Factors might be:

1. Careless maids

Its not suggested to let this maids to watch our kids and rather we let them do other jobs or bring it back to the agent.



2. Kids are naughty

Some of kids are naughty that sometimes they hurt their maids. This may cause the maid to retaliate if often happen.



Fair decision must be given after the investigation to avoid the feeling of one sided feeling



- Employer must understand also that maids are also human and remember that you are hiring a maid and not a professional which means that they might not get your commands instantly.



- And most effective: Open discussion "Always ask your maid a feedback"

Answer 59

1)Both employer and employee has to attend a mandatory getting to know you programme organised by MOM, together with other new employer and employees. This programme must be for a duration of 1 month with the first 1 week being full time, thereafter 3-4 hrs a day.



The programmme will include culture of the 4 main races, etiquette, and basic human courtesy and interaction.



And Finally explain to the maid How to seek help for abuse etc.



2)Any new maid who arrive MUST be given a HELPLINE number at the MOM/SOS and this must be on record that the number has been given by getting the Maid, employer and the agent sign a document which will be handed to MOM for filing and record upon arrival.

In the document it must be inculded that if either the agent or the employer takes away the number after showing it to the maid , they will be prosecuted, the document should also be written in the language of the maid, listing out some of her basic rights. A copy must be retained and be in her possession.

Answer 60

Why is everybody surprised by this kind of behaviour? If a country needs special campaigns to teach their own what everyone else in the world is taught from birth, then it's a sad state of affairs. I have seen enough "don't care" behaviour to understand that it's all "me me me me and F the rest" for quite a few people here! When I broke my leg near a bus stop a couple of years ago, I got a nasty wake up call. I was lying there screaming help and in pain. At the bus stop were 18 chinese and 1 malay singaporeans and none came to help me, worse some even took pictures or averted their eyes. It took a passing foreigner (not singaporean) to help me. Shame shame shame lah!!!!!

Those who treat their maids like animals should be forced to work the same job as the maid in the same conditions of abuse and torture to teach them a good lesson!!!!

But I strongly believe that what goes around comes around, 1 day we all have to answer for our behaviour one way or another! No wonder maids prefer to work for ang moh, at least they are treated more humanely and probably paid better.

Answer 61

Government should not restrict how frequently employers change domestic helper. I believe all employers knows that they leave their love ones under the care of domestic helpers & logically will treat the maids well in hope that they take care of the family wholeheartedly. Maids on the other hands sometimes get negligence & in severe case, lead to injuries of kids or elderly. If they do not heed advises after several warnings, employers should change helpers. Don't wait until severe injuries then resort to violence. This can be avoid If u get a maid that's more alert. Gov on the other hand should punish agencies that provide untrue bio data of maids.

Answer 62

Abuse or violence is wrong but I feel that "too much" has been done to tilt the legislature and governance framework toward these foreign domestic workers (FDWs). I have changed many FDWs over the past few years, most of them is due to the FDW finding the work too hard (both working parents, 1 infant, 1 toddler, shuttle between my home and my inlaw home daily). The current system penalises me for these resignations as I have to pay new agency fee and forgo insurance paid for the FDW. Most of them have the mindset that they are in Sg to enjoy life (imagine condo apartment with 1-2 occupants and employers not at home most of the time). These FDWs have also been 'educated' that they can change their employer at any one time even though they are bound by contract. One of the way is to 'provoke' their employers to mistreat them by doing/not doing certain things (I overheard this in a conversation between 2 FDWs at my voiddeck).



In short, what I want to point out is that the current system is already penalising employers. Most Singaporeans are educated and civilised (some are too civillised that they end up getting 'bullied' by these FDWs). If the FDW value-adds to the household, they will be taken care of naturally. If the employer physically abuses, let the criminal law take care of them.

Answer 63

To be very Frank ,through my experiences if i can live without a maid i rather not have . If they are New after training they start to Act Blur or not efficient worker! Some come with an attitude to run away from Poverty or think they can scoop up new ' man" in their life ! If you see this recent case , they are of the same race 'Muslim and Islam '??? why are they not so Forgiving? I am not judging them by race,but it is true . Muslim killing each other ?? Isn't sad ? I believe very much why this couple hit her is at an impulse as they are working parents,mental and physical stress. My Hearts goes out to the couple as if they are calm like me ,things will not happen . I believe in Karma ,so i rather change her then to Dirty My HAND for hell and Heaven. Poor Couple ,good luck to you both ,hope people up there who has maid cannot stand them change it, our children is our main concern ,Remember .

Answer 64

Some will argue that the maid has to follow a set of house rule just as much as we follow company rules. Yes, you are not totally wrong but before you imposed that, please make sure your maid share the same culture like you, come from the same background, otherwise please give her time to adjust.



Thanks to our multicultural society. We are so capable of multitasking and we are so versatile to survive in other country of a different culture. All this is not build and learnt overnight! However the maids are not so fortunate. Things not acceptable to us can be very much ok for them.



So be patient with them, don't blame it on the agency. You pay peanut for a maid, yet you expect a multipurpose housekeeper overnight; able to speak good english, cook to your taste (when some maid hardly tasted fish and prawns, and chilli and egg is their common dish), pacify and play with your child (when they never see playstation except mud and marble balls).



Back to the point, if your boss say no off-day, no personal email, don't carry hand phone to work; expect you to pick up his hobby so that you and he would have common topic ( just like your maid and your child); would you still stay long in that company? Would you find that inhuman?



Again to the other question, if you are running an agency and you are prepared to go oversea and headhunt for good maid....bring them over and give further one-to-one intensive training (at least 1-2 weeks is required) , how much would you want to charge for your Agency fee? Is $288-$388 or even $488 enough? I think i would charge $1500, so for the current fee in the market, lets not be too fussy.

Answer 65

Making an example of these people is a step in the right direction, as is the case in this situation and "well done" to the Singapore authorities for doing so. Wherever there is an imbalance of power it is difficult to maintain an equilibrium. In a society where people believe they are "too important" to bond with and raise their own offspring, the outcome is destined to be detrimental for the innocent bystanders and society in general as I have witnessed by the many disgracefully, disrespectful and spoiled children in Singapore. Raising children is hard work, just ask the Domestic Helpers, certainly not the precious parents. I hope her husband was also jailed and that they both experience a LOT of what they have dished out to this poor girl.

Answer 66

Singaporeans are naturally brutal. Well, sad to say, most of them. They see maids as cheap labour, and they think they have a very high superiority complex, like they are the kings and queens of the universe. What can be done to prevent Singaporeans from mistreating maids? What a funny question! In the first place, it shouldn't be asked, if Singaporeans only know how to be nice, friendly and kind... it would be a better country to lived in. Its like asking : Should we change the culture of Singapore?



I think what needs to be done here, is... start changing the mind set of younger generations. TEACH THEM HOW TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER. TEACH THEM HOW TO TREAT OTHERS NICE. TEACH THEM GOOD MANNERS AND RIGHT CONDUCTS. TEACH THEM HOW TO BE HUMBLE, KIND AND FRIENDLY. PARENTS SHOULD SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH THEIR KIDS. PARENTS SHOULD LOVE AND SUPPORT THEIR KIDS. So in the future, when these little Singaporeans grow... they will grow and become a better, nicer, kinder, and friendlier Singaporeans who will not punch, kick, or curse their maids or other people...



Start changing the mind set of the younger generations, change it for a better future.

Because the bad culture of Singapore is spreading very fast like a virus... a plague.



Deadly. Tsk. Tsk. What a waste. It is indeed a very rich country, but poor in character.



Just some thought.



Peace.

Answer 67

The only thing can be done is to send the maid to the agency back, still employer have to pay to issue another maid. Agency should take a lot detail of a person who you send for maid service, I seen numbers of trouble maker maids, beg to be send back, after consult by the agency.



Some people thiinks Singaporens are bad employer, thinks?



In one occasion, I have heard maid brought male foregin worker to home, when the employer not around. and the list go on. I think the Agency should educated the maid on what should not be do and done, in my believe it TAKE BOTH HAND TO CLAP

Answer 68

Singapore is a great place. Singaporeans are good people. I know many people in Singapore that treat their maids with respect and kindness. They become like regular members of their family, sitting at the same table for meals, taken to restaurants and invited along on vacations. They pay their maids above the award salary, give bonuses and never yell or physically abuse them. These Singaporean housewives are very happy with their maids. They are also pleased to be married to foreigners.



Perhaps the solution to the problem is to employ more qualified maids and pay them more money. How can a young woman that grew up on kampong be expected to clean your house, wash your car, raise your children and take care of your parents for so little? As my Singaporean friend said to me, if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys. Like everything in this world, you only get what you pay for.



I have heard such horror stories of maids being abused phyisically and financially that it makes me sick to my stomach. To add insult to injury, if the maid complains, the government agency contacts the employer and employment agency. As a result the maid is sent home on the next flight. End of problem. Is that taking advantage of poverty? How about this? If anyone is caught abusing a maid they will be fined one million dollars, given 6 strokes of the cane, forced to buy the maid a nice apartment in Singapore, as well as made to cook and clean clean for the maid for the grand sum of $200 a month (plus agency fees, of course). Maybe that's going too far. How about total public humiliation, banned from having the luxury of a maid and a very, very stiff fine? yes, that should do the trick.

Answer 69

The employer should check the child first before anything else.And if the maid is not taking care of her duties then why not call the agency and just replace the maid.The employer has no RIGHT to use hand on the employee.

They deserve to be in jail,longer than two month's and will not let the Goverment let them have a Maid again!

Answer 70

The best way is to have these employers jail not only for 2 months, much better for 1 to 2 years. Maids are also humans and we must treat them like humans. Singapore has its proper constitutional law. And therefore, we must follow the law. It's not because, you are employer/s, you can just simply (physical) hurt maids (specially in the head part, which can lead to death)? There must be the proper "Human Rights" law to both locals and foreigners, where applicable. Why are dogs treated so nice here in Singapore where they are not even human? Come on, let's put our shoes on these maids. Would you like to be treated the way these maids had been treated by these employers? BE REASONABLE!

Answer 71

99% of domestic workers in Singapore have their lives held ransom by the mere fact that their employers have total control over their employment pass. It's simply too much power to have over another life. The result is slavery and abuse... These workers come from poor countries and have to endure the terrible treatment at the hands of those that are wealthy in Singapore to save the lives of those they love back home. It's a terrible sacrifice and a horrible curse to endure. Anyone living in Singapore knows that the majority of domestic workers live in a hellish life not much better than prison. FIXING THIS PROBLEM IS EASY! Give domestic workers a specialized personalized employment pass within a certain amount of time so they have the ability to find another employer without getting deported from Singapore. Employers that have a high rate of turn over in their employees could be red flagged and investigated. However, since the majority of those living in Singapore clearly love to be petty, cruel, and abusive to their domestic helpers, something this intelligent will never happen. Kiasu = Singapore will always be a state that supports modernized slavery.

Answer 72

Our singapore law should have some rules and regulation given to the employers to reprimand their domestic maids i guess the employers will not take too much in to their hands to punish their domestic workers.



The current situation is so bad that employers do not have any say in whatever the maids do. Maids always get away scott free.....If any case is put up against the maid, the employers still have to pay for their lodging and their air ticket home after the case is settled. Every thing is about MONEY!!!!



We have to pay from our little salary to pay the Maids...just to come back home and see them chit chatting with their friends, uncleaned home, sleeping ......a lot of frustrations......i think i do understand y employers are just going beyond their means!!!

Answer 73

Maids.........they are one of the things to show off for lot of house holds that they can afford one....she is not a helper rather, she is an amenity that they get after paying sooooooooooooooo much...its basically one thing that every house hold wants and they use that amenity as they want coz..... they pay what??? They can't live with them and if there is any problem in the house,,they take out there stress on the maids as they are one harmless person who cant talk back or hit them back .....basic feeling this is that this is one expensive burden they have to carry without any reason which they deserve it free and should be provided free............PITY....they cant live with them they cant live without them....!!!!!!!!! Strict governing laws, Basic welfare department for the maidsand liberty to approach these departments and checks on the maids from being traded like any other everyday amenity by the maid agencies displaying big advertisments saying and displaying.....all that..that people are allowed to do with the maids..i.e..changing them as many times as the employer wants within three months of starting of work or so, as if they carry warranty like a mobile phone and can be serviced on one phone call, this should be stopped so that people bring home not an amenity but another human being who wants to help them as they are in need of there help themselves.............

Answer 74

i know what you mean and certainly abusing ur maid to that extent is just terrible.

But remember that there are some maids out there who just literally drive their employers crazy. certified by the government that they are mentally sound, speaks and understands proper(at least understandable) english and are able to do their jobs? From what I have seen and experienced, only 2/10 maids fit that criteria. ever seen the news? cases of where maids fling their employer's babies out the window, adding who-know-what human wastes into their employers foods and drinks and some even stealing their female employer's husbands? i'm not saying that the employers were all goody goody, but shouldn't they at least conduct themselves as proper humans would?

so what can be done to ensure domestic workers are treated well, make sure that both the employer and employee are mentally sound, and no abuse of rights and laws by the maid. haven't you heard of cases where the maids beat themselves all up and try to pass it off to the police that it was their employers who did it? trust me, i experienced it all first hand.

Answer 75

For all you know the story is untrue. How sure you are that the maid really tries to help the child or did something to the child. Trust me don believe 100% what you read. I am not one one sided. But sometimess having maid is like having another big kid at home. They will just don things that you tell them not to...



Anyway back to the question nothing can be done as it is individual unless the MOM or the agency want to make a house visit to the maid.

Answer 76

Are we missing the point? Maid abuse will continue for as long as there are maids. Societal views of domestic helpers cannot be changed overnight. Decades of education might help to relieve and lessen the problem, but I do not believe it will ever be totally eradicated. Even childcare, primary, secondary, tertiary school teachers get verbally abused, what more someone who an easy target 24/7. I think the short course that employers are supposed to take before they are eligible to hire perhaps might not cover the topic sufficiently. I do not think that harsher punishment will deter those who have the intention to abuse from doing so. I think that public education needs to be in place.



The domestic helper is someone's mom, sister, daughter, wife. Would we do that to our own? Some people obviously do. Have we totally stopped people who litter? Have we stopped people from spitting on the street? We have lessened it, perhaps, by the heavy fines and public education / campaigns, but it will still continue. We managed to significantly lessen chewing gum from being deposited everywhere, perhaps we could think of something to lessen abuse from happening to domestic helpers.

Answer 77

Employers who have a proven history of maid abuse should be punished with a hefty fine, and the money given to the maid as restitution. They should also be barred for life from employing domestic helpers ever. They should also be sent for anger management class and do 120 hours of community service, serving others in need.

It is a real shame how some employers treat their maids. I have personally seen at a Japanese buffet at Suntec City, a mother and two children, gorging away like pigs and the poor maid feeding one of the brats that wouldn't even eat. It is real cruelty to make someone salivate watching you eat while he/she is probably equally hungry but not offered anything. If employers do not want to pay for their maid's food in restaurants, then leave them a home instead of humiliating them in public.

From my observations, it is mostly the "new rich" that do not know how to treat their maids with humanity.

Our domestic helpers are here to earn a living for their families back home having left behind their loved ones to care for our children, our parents, etc. They deserve to be treated with dignity and appreciation.

It is never acceptable to be cruel or to hurt another person's feelings or physically.

Answer 78

Frankly speaking, at times we do not know the true story behind but of course to abuse a maid physically is wrong! I have engaged maid(s) before and I know at times they get on your nerves so much you just want to show them who is the boss. I am not trying to be bossy but now it seems the maid is climbing over the head of the employer! Despite there are many maids who have attitude problems but that doesn't mean all of them are bad. I should say we are just not so lucky to get the GOOD ones. I can only say if this maid does not meet your standard, get a changed one instead of putting pressure on yourself, family and the maid. That is the only way we can prevent ourselves from abusing them by keeping them in the house.

Answer 79

Some employers being abused by maids? HUH?! Funny, is it. There is no such thing.



If you have a maid that is abusive , then, just send her back. Anybody who has a maid knows that one way or another it entails parting with your money. Be it in fees, salary, food for the maid, air fare , etc. So, if you can not afford it. DO NOT get a maid.



I think, the government should consider a salary bracket for those who wants to hire maid. Example: An employer earning combine household salary of above S$60,000 a year can hire a maid. So, that all those who are complaining will shut their mouth.

Answer 80

Whatever the agitation may be, resorting to physical abuse cannot be condoned.In my view all maids should first be told in no uncertain terms, that should they resort to abusing their employer or family members, they will face the law plus be permanently barred from seeking employment in this country, Conversely, employers should also be warned that if they should abuse their maids, they too will face the law and be permanently barred from employing another.This may sound too harsh to some, but going by the number of abuses despite the so called harsh sentences passed on the offenders in the past cases,it hasn't deterred others from committing the same, such as in this latest case.Some Singaporeans have the mindset that if you are under my employment, I own you body & soul.What aggravates this situation is the total lack of respect, sensitivity & compassion for another human being.

Answer 81

have an easy time etc etc.

I know of many households who have maids who have been treated like members of the family. I have only read reports like the one you mention, which thankfully are few and far between.

As for the prevention of violence like this happening again, there is little that can be done. Those who find it easy to hit or strike a person cannot be changed easily. Remedial treatments are costly and the Singapore government will not embark on that course of action. Their solutions to social problems is to fine or jail the culprits.

I would suggest that it be made so expensive to have a maid that only the very rich will be able to afford them, People like the couple mentioned above will have to do what millions all around the world do - look after your kids yourself. Suitable punishment I think.

Answer 82

Firstly, Singapore is an extremely stressful and uptight society with no place or avenue to release stress. We have to absorb a lot from the time of school to work to society. All our superiors expect perfection from us and we are consistently being told off in all walks of life with no redress. Hence if for once we are "bosses" we expect the same a lost our senses of judgement when we a face with "consistently inperfect" maids.



Second, we think maids are expensive due to a total of about 700 dollars basic cost not inclusive of accomodation, food, medical, basic maintenance cost. We feel the maid is not producing the value for this.



To solve this problem, we must first have a gracious and caring society from top down. Without that the whole society is only superficially gracious and caring. It has to be a culture. We must have a society whereby "bosses" and "superiors" learn to treat subordinates with "equal rights". They must admit their own short comings and mistakes and make good examples of themselves. Only then we see bosses and subordinates as equal human.



Secondly, we must cut away maid levy. This creates an impression of "maid not cheap" and hence they must produce the value. There is nothing wrong with this 700 dollars impression plus plus totalling almost 1000 because it is true. On the maid side, they are only 300 dollars a month. The maid is also correct. So the system creates an imbalance expectation and production on both side, which is not the wrong of either side but the wrong of the system.

Answer 83

Well the employers should be punished. But what about the maids that get away with bad behaviour and their punishment is a free ticket home! I doubt that all the maids are so innocent and naive. Maybe 10-20 years ago it would be possible. But now, they are not. The employers should have protection against them and errant maid agencies!

Answer 84

You are only seeing one side of the story. The maid could have got on the nerve of the employer. There were times when I felt like hammering my own maid but I held back - it's all because of her attitude and sloppiness.



I changed maid 3 times in 9 months. We asked the first one to leave after 2 months. She was not happy working for a local family. Chalked up huge telephone bills and did things to make us fire her.



The 2nd one left after 2 days. Had the audacity to carry 3 mobile phones during work hours, supposedly from her BFs. One of them rang while we were briefing her about work.



The 3rd one, terrible. We fed her well, gave her clothes, let her eat what we eat. Even catered to her taste sometimes (spicy food) by incorporating spice into our food.



Just to name a few : ------



- Very forgetful - unhygenic.

- Soap in milk bottle, sterilizer not washed (yellowish water in it)

- Served spaghetti without spaghetti sauce (this is ultimate)

- Sick often

- Dreamer most of the time



Guess what, she stole money and our belongings and absconded on a Sunday morning in her 6th month with us. Now still nowhere to be found. In the process, we lost money and our live got disrupted.



Many a times, the maid were the ones giving problems. Employers should be taught HOW NOT TO LOSE THEIR COOL when dealing with their errant maids because to a certain extent, the law is not always impartial.



For example, we get penalised for errant maids.



We are through with maids - all 3 of them were maids from Hell. How unlucky. I have 3 kids, eventhough we are managing OK, we feel happier.

Answer 85

First and foremost,we have to bear in mind that maids are not gods..they are also human...If they are given a whole lot of housework as well as having to look after children..they will falter just ike any human being...we cannot expect them to beworking like machines and not given proper rest and food.



First up remember they are here to help us ease our workload and not here to take over doing everything. Thus we have to treat them as a part of the family,ensuring they get proper rest as well as proper timings for their meals. Also if they to look after the children and if u want them to do a good job of it..dont expect them to complete all household chores at the same time...they should just be doing the sweeping and washing of clothes when children at school and perhaps cook a simple meal to pass of the daytime chores. when children at home,the maid should spend her time

watching them ensuing their school work is done and get a nap in the afternoon if need be..the children I mean. If the maid is to cook dinner then either parent should be home early,so she can concentrate fully on what she is doing...the week should generally pass by in this regime. Weekends(sat and sun) can be a little different..she starts with bfast and more solid cleaning of the house etc...she can take on more household duties...but when it comes to babysitting then do not give the maid chores to do but full attention to the children.



I mean there is a whole list to how maids and their bosses can live happily together cause it all takes fair thinking and learning to improve.

Answer 86

2mths jail term only?? Siti Farhana Mhd Yahkup and her husband, Mohammed Szami At'tirmidzi Supa'at should be jailed at least 5 years! They deserve it! How would this ***** feels, if her bloody head being hit & pushed against the wall, being punched on her chest several times?? and her stupid bastard husband ought to deserve a real good whack! I would have kicked his BALLS!

Answer 87

Hiring a good maid depends on the luck. My current maid tell lies and lies but I just pretend not know and let her go as I always feel sorry for these poor people who have to go overseas to work as maids. I even pay her overseas calls but tell her she needs to cut short her conversation. But she never cares. Almost 2 years working for me she does not need to spend a single cent. As I am a working mother I need a maid. When my children are big enough I definitely would not want a maid so that I can have less headaches.

Answer 88

I am a British national, who has been living in Singapore for the last 10 years. Maid abuse is a continuing problem in Singapore, and the above only serves to illustrate an isolated experience.



Firstly, Singaporeans have some difficulty in understanding the difference between a maid and a slave. Both a maid and a slave come with a contract, and it is Karl Marx who summed up the difference (Das Kaplital Vol 1 Ch XIX) in his theory and the exploitation of labour, which remains relevant today.



“No essential difference between the wage contract and the purchase of a slave, what the employer of free labour buys is not, as in the case of slavery, the labourers themselves, but a definite quota of the sum total of their potential labour.”



That ‘definite quota’ is defined by MOM, and of course is in accordance with the contract. Maids in Singapore are frequently made to work long hours, outside the contract, and made to sleep in inhumane conditions. Maids are seldom seen as part of the family, and are frequent victims of abuse. I have experienced this first hand. In 2002, I moved to Pebble Bay, and through an open window overheard an Indonesian maid being scolded for not understanding the difference between a leek and a spring onion. More interesting, was the employer's summing up at the end of the scolding: “if you get this wrong again, I will pass urine on your dinner and you will eat it”. What a nice habit the employer has!



Singaporeans must be more accepting of the cultural background that their maids come from. The Philippines, Indonesia, Burma, etc are not as squeakyclean as Singapore is, and the maids educational background will not compare with a child who has been to school and grown-up in Singapore. It is important therefore to understand that the maid will need to be taught how to care for children, and how to carry out tasks that we take for granted.



Some have argued in reply to the above that the aggression on the part of the accused is a natural reaction. Violence is not to be condoned, and were this an attack by a Singaporean on a Singaporean then this would clearly have constituted an assault in law (as indeed it is when the victim is a maid). One is left to wonder then, whether maids have lost their human status, and the need to be acknowledged as human beings - maybe some infer in their reply that maids fall within a subhuman classification. Eugenics and the value of life is not something I want to get into in this reply. I am the first to acknowledge that maids stray also. A former maid, employed by me when I lived at Bedok Ria, at the time, paid frequent visits to a Singaporean across the road to provide sexual services for $50 a time. As soon as I discovered this, she was returned to her native Philippines immediately. If we were to apply the same argument that there are two sides to every story, she would have had no business had the local Chinese man not been paying her $50 a pop. So much of your moralistic arguments. Maids are here to do the work - traditional house work, that local Singaporean women would prefer not to do. Sure, women would prefer to work in jobs that pay the money, because money is central to the mentality of Singaporeans. Singaporean women in return treat their maids harshly, and often have over expectation of them. Wet mopping the floor three times a day, shouted at, scolded, still awake well past midnight and up at 5am etc, etc, and still they work for you.



Treat them like you value them, they are to my mind at least an extended part of the family, not to mention human beings also.

Answer 89

A fine of S$1,000,000 should be imposed for each maid who gets physically abused.

Mistreating domestic workers shouldn't be a tradition.

If you have a history of mental illness you should not in any case be allowed to have a maid. Maybe maids should stop being women and replaced with muscular men.

Answer 90

I'm a European myself, and was quite shocked/surprised to see when I first came to Singapore, it is very normal here to have a maid living in your house who clean, cooks, looks after your kids and does everything else Singaporeans consider themselves "too busy" for, and that for a 24/7 period.



In my country it would be considered illegal and against basic human rights. (Who should be working 24/7 anyway?). The solution in my opinion should be that Singaporeans trim down their expectations of maids. For starters, a maid should not be living in, but live outside and come to your house in the morning. (Preferably they should live in strongly supervised hostels). This way a maid doesn't have to be available for every whim 24/7. Maids should be employed through a agency, and the both the maid and employer can request a transfer of the maid. This avoids maid abuse, and can result in the maid being send back to her own country should she persistently get into problems with various employers.



Unfortunately this does mean that Singaporeans sometimes may have to wake up themselves in the middle of the night to look after their baby. They may sometimes need to do a bit of cleaning on their own. Bit is that really a problem? I find it crazy that people "outsource" looking after their kids to someone else under the excuse "I have a busy job". This is part of having a family.



Finally, as I said, Singaporeans would do well to trim down their expectations, this can be done by simply not asking so much of your maid. I once met a girl who had her maid serve her a drink while she was watching TV. When I asked why should couldn't get a drink from the fridge on her own she said: "I can do it myself, but its just convenient". Personally I find people who ask such things of their maid not "busy" but simply lazy, and they deserve a kick in the butt.



In my eyes it is crazy that a person says they need a maid because they are busy, but in reality have their maid do even simple tasks they can do themselves, while they laze around.

Answer 91

Come up with a fair rule/regulation(law) which protect the employers and employese. It seems that the MOM regulations are protecting the maids than the employers. There are also many cases this year about maids doing funky business and harm their employers. Worst to worst they are being sent back and employers are the ones at the loosing end and still need to fork out $$$.

Answer 92

This is one sided story, what about other news about the maids abused the elders and children ? Has anyone think of the employer side of the story? When something goes wrong, it is always the employer has to take the blame. No one thinks that maid also has to be answered for the problem. It takes two hands to clap.

Answer 93

While some employers have a reason for them to mistreat there helper,still not a reason enough to abuse them...I don't think these employers realize how hard it is for a domestic helper to be working away from their loved ones,some doesn't even have a day off,u can't expect a person to be working seven days a week with some working from as early as 5am til 12midnight.How much do this employers pay there helpers anyway?just a little amount and they expect them to be there slaves,for goodness sakes!!!

Sure there are some good employers who treat there helpers as family but sad to say more and more employers here in Singapore are abusing them..

The government should make these employers do community work,let them pay the abused helpers compensations and don't allow them to employ a new helpers...

Answer 94

Treat everyone with grace and respect. If you find your maid not to your expection, slow, dont understand simple instructions, is best get it changed immediately. i have two maids before. The first one, Gloria would bully my son (like feeding him with one full big scope of rice and force into his mouth and also put shampoo into his eyes making him very scare during bathing time. She even pinched his nose until swallon and blue black), so how and why highlight about maid abuse when most of our young kids at home at severely abuse by the maids when parents are at work.

Another maid, frequently stole money, and have many boyfriends. Some, even put washing detergent into the milk powder! See how evil and how uncivilised these maids are!

Answer 95

maid is d 1 to drive employer crazy b cos they simply lazy or don understand a single thing u speak. 1 chicken 1 duck. look at mi as n example in 2 years i already change 7 maids. hv to sit for MOM classroom. waste time.gov should reject their application if they cant even understand basic ENG. 4 those who has apply 4 maid b4 they know wats goin on . those tat no maid don talk so much. which parent would like their child or bb to get hurt or fall. of cos in an instant is jux out of rage but should hv some control not to d extent of abusing la.both also fault but i can say d maid is d most worst case.

Answer 96

Whatever mean ways the maid was abused, the maid will get the chance to do it back to her employer, justice served, fair and square, an eye for an eye. This will keep their employers' hands off the their maids if this is set as a new law.

Answer 97

Singapore has very strict law for maid abused,if employers been caught ill treated the maids they will be sentence to jail or pay heavy fines..So there are few cases which been published on the local paper where as compare to Malaysia and the Arab countries maid abuse and raping maids in these countries never been reported.



So why only Singapore been reported and not other countries?????????

Is yahoo being BIAS??????????

Answer 98

Prevention?

Heavy fine and punishment for people who mistreat their domestic workers.

Dont think eduction will help much as it seem people who abuse are quite educated.

Maybe these people are so highly educated thus they face more stress at work and from home.

But that not an excuse for abusing a human being. You will be fine if you ill-treat a pet!

These people should be thankful that they are born in a much better environment than their domestic workers.

Since you have done it, you know you really did something bad, then be prepare to get punishment.

Try to smile too if the reporters run after you for your photograph.

Answer 99

Come on, Its the system of hiring that has gone wrong. I have maids who were blacklisted and then changed their names in the home country then come back and work. 2 so far has admitted to me. I have maids who cheated their age and when they arrive, they are actually only 14 years old or 16 years old.



Then they come with bags full of nice clothing. Some came with LINGERIE....OBVIOUSLY, these are the maids who came expecting to PLAY, not to work as domestic helpers. That's why those maids who came like this failed to meet my expectations. Asking them to clean was like asking them to die. so I had no choice but to change them. My maids mostly finish their work for the day in less than 2 hours. But the place is still dirty. Asking them to redo? HA! fat hope, they will PURPOSELY give you a confused look. Pretend don't know. That's what they are best at.



I also had a few instances when I found myself NEARLY blowing my top BUT since I WORRY a lot about my family's life in hers (coz they can do anything....) I always ended up talking nicely. But what do I get in return? --> rolling of their eyes, defiant looks etc. EXCEPT when my husband is the one talking to them in a stern manner.



I'm not saying that its alright to abuse them. we shouldn't. ALways do the right thing But did MOM protect EMPLOYERS' RIGHTS? Those maids who caused harm to their employers just get light sentencing or sent back to their country. What example are we showing to the maids? There's DOUBLE standards here. That's why maids are no longer respecting us and are no longer coming here to REALLY work.

Answer 100

Every family who takes in a domestic worker will require to go thru training. Schools should start to give compassion and humanity topics in their classes. TVs should constantly remind people about how to treat people well. Singgapore is moving too fast into the devloped country buut the people do not know and have not been trained, conditioned and moded into this kind of world. They may be rich and have money but frankly many lacked the graciousness, and sincerity. In my old days as a child, I seriously thing the kampong spirt, the community bond was much better and I see this less and less as I grow older in Singapore.

Answer 101

Treat your maid as your the other child, like kids they need to be rewarded and punished. Reward her with token of chocolates or small accessories if she complete her task well . If she did something wrong, explain to her nicely on the consequences of her ignorant action. Most employers are impatient to explain and repeat their instructions again and again as they expect the maid to take initaitive which often they do not the the calibre to do so. Tthe maid on the other hand felt that there is no difference if I ask my mam or not, I will still get scolded, so I just try my luck and do things the way I want. The maid not only deserve her off day but also deserve her own reading time, TV time & annual holiday just like a child

Answer 102

Having maids for helping households is already part of culture in my country, which I think Singaporean is still in the learning process. To make thing worse, the Singaporean maids are mostly foreign workers with different cultures and background that potentially creates huge misunderstanding. I was brought up with maids and I was used to see my mother changed maids every year because something was stolen, things were not properly cleaned, and the maids didn't want to follow my mum's order. My mum was very strict and she sometimes hit us, her children, for punishment. But as far as I could remember she never hit our maids even though their mistakes were very big. She only scold them, like almost everyday, and we learned to forget and to forgive since we needed their services. Because of my past experiences, I never want to have a full-time maid, I prefer to have a part-time maid. I don't want to waste my time and energy to scold people and most importantly I'm not lazy to clean up my house by myself. Life is not perfect, just learn how to forget and to forgive.

Answer 103

Singapore society is hopelessly UNGRACIOUS ( I hope this is grammatically correct, but you get what I mean).

Try switching lane on the road, the moment you switched on your signal light what happened, 99/100 the car that was perhaps 3 car length away in that lane will speed up to close the gap.

Try telling someone nicely to please clean up his/her dog's poos, you will likely ended being threatened with physical harm.

How may times have you seen drivers fighting over parking lots.

Go down to your coffee shops and look around, any hope that there will be civility among fellow citizens. Zilch, Zero. Every other sentences spoken are punctuated with the foulest Hokkien vulgarities.

Deep down no matter how smartly we dress or how big of a car we drive, we carry the blood of Ah Beng and Ah Lian in our veins that make it impossible for us to be gracious. We can try but sooner or later the true color will surface. Sad but true.

With all this going against us, do you expect us to be able to be gracious and civil to our domestic helps anytime soon. I think not.

We are a narcisitic bunch and should not be allowed to have maids to protect us from ourselves.

Answer 104

Well the punishment given is very lenient. They don't deserve the jail term. What the law should do is to allow these people to have a taste of their own medicine. I believe it will wake them up and they will be very cautious in the near future not to lay their hands again. By the way, to all the hypocrites out there who are in this similar situation, kindly stop behaving like dogs .And pause for a while in your life and look at the world. So Start being a human rather than a human being.

Answer 105

Abusive employer must be punish and irresponsible maid must educate more about there duties as a helper. employer too must understand that foreign worker need to adopt with their new environment and duties ones they are employed. agency is the first place that maid must train let them understand whats the true meaning of so called helper. maid must understand that working foreign country is more duties or work and employer pay so much just to hired a helper, unlike working in their own country they can choose one job but very low pay. for both employer and helper is a huge responsibility and if both understand their relationship will be better. I wish that MOM make strict rules with the agencies, and for both helper and employer before bringing domestic helper in Singapore.and strict rules to domestic helper that duties is to help the employers life a little better. some maids are caught having affair with their employer for extra income must be punish too. their not clean enough to get respect because they do prostitution even their married and disturbing marriage life of their employers its not a part of their duties. for those good maids deserves to get proper treatment ,employers must treat them like a member of the family.

Answer 106

We need to explore the underlying reason behind this abuse. Going deeper, it is probable that we would find that there is this feeling of superiority. How did that come about? Perhaps fixing that problem will naturally fix all the rest of these problems plaguing Singapore these days.



Graciousness is a mindset, a lifestyle. One is either gracious or one is not; there is no halfway. If one is gracious to certain groups, then please refrain from calling yourself gracious. Because you are not.



With so much focus on being on top, being the best, being in power, something has got to give. And that sadly is an emphatic society. And being cruel to those who we perceived to be less able than us is one of the sad symptoms of the problem.



How many of us who are condemning these acts are actually laughing inside - perhaps secretly lauding ourselves that we are better because we aren't going to get caught?



How many of us cut queues every day? Push people aside to get in front? Throw our authority around because we can? Act based on persons and not situations? Boot lick the rich and powerful?



To get to the root of the problem, change the surroundings and upbringing of children. For a child's mind is easy to form. And they take on the actions of those around them. Actions become habits and soon a norm.



It is a simple idea. But not an easy one to implement.

Answer 107

At the end of the day, no human should hurt another human. What gives us the right to beat somebody? Unless somebody hit us first and its only fair to defend ourselves.



I think people nowadays has low tolerance to each other. I pity the maid. Even if she is lazy or not performing well, nobody has the rights to hit her. Even with proper education or systematic law, when people get angry, it is uncontrollable. It already happened and the poor maid suffered. I keep seeing these type of cases even there is legislation to it.



My point is, people should learn how to respect each other and be at peace with each other. Thus this could be one way to prevent any of these from happening.

Answer 108

But why did the baby cry? Pinched/hit by maid or wat? Why it resulted to employers' sudden outburst of anger onto the maid? Maybe the maid was caught mishandled the baby before but was let off? Action causes reaction. No point listenin to one part of the story. Gov shd protect the employers as well. Maid nowadays are no saint either. I found a good blog on Singapore's maid. Very useful and relevant. 2-thumbs up for the blogger - Tamarind! http://singaporemaid.blogspot.com

Employers will learn alot from this blog! =)

Answer 109

I think we should look into the possibility of having a 9 am to 8pm maid After that, they can be sent to another hostel for boarding. The maid and the employer will be happier to have their own personal space.



I think it is due to the long hours of having another person in the house and having someone to vent out your anger at any time.



If the maid has a fixed working hours, then the employer won't take disadvantage of the maid and the maid will be happier to know that after her working hours, she can chit chat with friends at the hostel.



Thank you.

Answer 110

I believe that the problem of "mistreating domestic workers?" is everywhere in the world. There must be reason why Singapore is singled out.



In any case, Singapore is known to be a country making little progress in "Gracefulness". Year after year Singaporeans are reminded of "Gracefulness" by their leaders. However, there was no improvement over the last 20 years.



The lack of "Gracefulness" will still be part of Singapore culture for many years to come. The country is very "legalistic" from top-down. It is common sense that when we focus on living "law-by-law", grace and graciousness will be missing. This teaching is especially highlighted in the New Testament of the Christian Bible.

Answer 111

First find out what happen to your child and why she is crying, off course... the maid shall said " I Don't know ". whether she did something to your child..same answer you will get from her..well, unless you can control yourself, do proper... report police, call maid agency, call MOM...... wasting time Right !!, end up .... you do your own way..... again.. you're in the losing end.....because, these people don't have maid at home... or maybe no children, that's why they don't understand your problems, but they know you hit the maid..... too bad..



Those smart ppl outside should know what i mentioned above..

Answer 112

The government should take preventive measure by passing law on banning them from engaging domestic maid service for a few years and should impose heavy levy on them base on percentage next time they do so. Jail them is a must because all human enjoy equal rights, be it they are here as domestic workers or FTs or Singaporean.

Answer 113

I am afraid this is only the tip of the ice berg, the actual question you should ask is "Is Singapore moving forward or going backward"? Are you sure that mistreating of domestic workers is the only issue in Singapore? How about NKF, Ren Ci and the recent Sunshine saga?



Does it not occurred to you that Singapore is moving in such a fast pace that everyone is trying all their mean to get ahead of each other? It is surprising to you that people can easily blown their temper out of proportion since all of us is in the pressure cooker? Come on.... Don't be so narrow minded and look at thing in a single point.

Answer 114

The question is not only what can be done to prevent Singaporeans from mistreating their domestic workers but what can be done to prevent Singaporeans abusing everyone their old parents, their subordinate etc. I believe people here are so power crazy that when they pay some one some money they think they owe that some one. We have to look at starting from the education system, the grassroots level etc. we are a society that have everything but we does not have the humanity!!

Answer 115

I'm not sure what the maid has done for the above incident.



I had a maid working with us for 2 years and 5 months. We have been treating her nicely. I regard her like my younger sister. We brought her out to shopping and even dinner. Yes, I'm grateful that she had done lots of chores for me. She was given a handphone as we thought that she might want to call back to her hometown.



However, things changed when she got the handphone, requesting for outing once in a month.



She started using handphone and keep using it every now and then.. This, we can close one eye.



She requested outing once in a month. We agreed but, it turned out not so simple.

She got a leaflet and went to a new agency for interview. She claimed that she needs to to out to agency every Sunday in May - June. She wore very nice. In July, she went out almost everyday claiming that when the agency called her, she got to go down.



Her last day was on Wednesday.. The next day, the agency called us and told us that she has a boyfriend in which we are not known of. She went to the agency only 3 times not that much as what she said..



It's very sad as we treated her nicely, respect her and the outcome is not appropriate.

Answer 116

These employers are not fit to hire any maid as they go by their animal instincts.

Jail them, cane them and ban them permanently from hiring any maid.

All employers should be briefed by MOM about the penalty and rights of the maids before hiring.

As a Singaporean, I terribly feel ashamed of such similar maid abuse cases repeatedly committed by our fellow country men.

Live and Let Live!

Answer 117

Well now.

You get caned for painting a train...so what do Singaporean's get for abusing foreign maids ? I think, one deterrent would be to have the same done to them by the maids family...let the father and brother of the maid, also return the abuse...but of course this would make us a medieval country.



What is sad in Singapore is that Singaporeans have very little ethics. Now I have opened myself for abuse..

Answer 118

i feel this issue needs to be examined more indepth. what do we mean by "prevalent"? please use the term responsibly. what is the benchmark? where are the statistics ? versus other countries? what about the high cost of paying for insurance on a yearly basis, and the switching costs for employers when maids just call it quits after working for 3-4 mths, decide to switch employers, .... and employers have to bear the costs of training them, unutilised insurance that cannot be transferred, and paying their return airfare when maid decides they have had enough fun touring here already even without completing their contracts. think when maids go back home, they wonder we are most easy country/ employers to "work" amd "have fun with compared to other countries.



has anyone asked what about Singaporeans being shortchanged by maids and their agencies e.g. i heard about maids who use up to $2k phonebills.. and employers just pass the bug and transferred the maids. what about maids who chit chat and used the phone constantly 24/7 and left the toddlers to fend for themselves at the playground. is there database of blacklisted maids ?

Answer 119

First and foremost, stop maids from cheating on their biodatas. In my 10 years of employing a maid, I have yet to come across a maid who has not cheated. Their extent of claim in experience tantamounts to problems for us employers. Ministry of Manpower has yet to address this fact which leads to employers with harrowing stories to tell. High loan and high salary payments do not validate the little work and vast horror that these maids create. Stem the source of the problem - stop allowing these shady maids into Singapore!!!

Answer 120

1. Form a Union of Migrant (domestic ) workers under NTUC.

2. Use part of the maid levy collected for Trade Union (NTUC) subscription.

3. Have hotlines with IRO ready to assisst and advice any domestic worker with any problem.

MOM must ensure all domestic workers are awaree of this help line and have access to it.



Awareness of this would help to prevent some if not most of the abuses.



NTUC should initiate and formulate action to facilitate required legislation for this.



Yours Sincerely



P.Mathavan

5000-M, Lagoon View #16-56,

Marine Parade Road 449294.



Tel: (H)62411498, (Hp)91555147

Answer 121

I think you have to look how Singaporean have been treated when they where very young whether they were abused or not and if they have the same habit with their children. I hear Some Singaporean talk and juge their children like dirt no wonder they can do it with a foreign worker,and that's not all , you have women foreigner married to local and how have been treated the same way and it seems very normal to them. I think they ought to be very severely punished.they shouln'd have the right to employe any maid anymore.Let them have a taste of the law.

Answer 122

As with other problems faced in any society, a combination of education and monitoring by an association - followed by enforcement in extreme cases - might be useful, to be fair to both parties. The Association could be one like a 'Maids Association' looking into the interests of maids.

Answer 123

Why people want to mistreat their maids? Managing a maid is like managing a team member at work, thus some supervisory skills are required. We may have to relook at our whole lifestyle in Singapore. We cant expect everyone who employ maids to be well versed in managing "team member at work". Do we really want to have more maids in Singapore? Could we just restrict the employment of maids and get more people to stay at home to take care of their kids. Could we explore PT maids system?

Answer 124

Totally agree that this doesn't sound like a first and only one-off triggered issue. Had my fair share of experience with FDW, some good and some hopeless. As preventions, wld strongly suggest that MOM remove the "blacklisting" of employers shd they chg their FDW more than 4 times/yr. Note that as employers, we DON'T like to change them cos then we'll hv to go thru the training cycle all over again with the new ones. Instead MOM shd implement a mandatory 4-mth probation period for FWD to adapt and learn from their new employers, just like any other employment contract. And at the end of this period if employers believe that their FDW cannot perform up to their expectations, then they shd be allowed for chg. We are constantly talking abt measures to ensure FDW are not mistreated, but who will see when we leave our loved ones alone at the mercy of FDW? Hiring FDW is already expensive so like any other things that we pay with our hard earned money we expect guarantee/warranty period.

Answer 125

I think the Singaporean employee is perhaps the most stressed in the world and since most married couples work, the stress level in the family is immense. Look at how attractive Singapore is to MNCs and whose expats vie for postings here. Look at our economic progress in such a short period of time; it's not only the corporate or political leaders who have contributed but the lower level employees whose sweat, toil and sacrifices help secure our success.



Both husband and wife are required to work to sustain the family (whereas in many societies only one need to work to afford support). On top of this the government imposes a tax on domestic help which lowers the general level of such help available. The high stress level and mismatch of expectations between the employer and the domestic helper causes such outburst to take place. It will carry on so long as we continue to impose such abnormal pressures on the individual and the family.

Answer 126

Frankly, mostly abuse cases created by middle income earner. Where the employers can't coach with own stress & problem, especially comes to money issue. What can be done :



1) Work with "Crimewatch" on a clip for a section on show.

2) Work with SPF to issue brochures to all employers on such campaign.

3) Procedure on applying for a maid is too simple, should look into this corner. For example, to get employers sign on a black & white with SPF letterhead.

4) Invite a speakers to give talks on such topic on how to cop with emotional break down(for the employer).

Answer 127

It's only between the employer and the maid that they themselves know whose at fault; as a third party nobody can judge whose wrong. But based on my experience with maids, should said when maid purposely create trouble with employer its very difficult to control your temper unless you know how's the feeling of striking "Jackpot", and the employer can really control temper and let go, as there's no necessity to abuse them at all. MOM also should do their part as they are the one who should control the quality of maid and give this maid restriction like they are not allow of easy transfer; the maid before reaching Singapore can inform me that they are allow to choose their employer here but not elsewhere, and for employer there's nowhere to voice our sufferings while the maid already protected by the law when they touches our land as MOM will provided them with self address envelope for them to launch complaints once complete the safety exam.

Answer 128

Maid abusers should never be let off too lightly. They should get what they gave. Punish them severely so that they will remember it forever never to ill treat another fellow human being who is less fortunate than them to make a living by being a maid. Never fine them. Jail or even caning for repeated offenders.

Answer 129

They should be punished with social work as a maid to others, give them a feel how a maid feels being mistreated by people like them. And if it still does not work, I agree with some people here, cane and jail them.



Vandalism, where nobody gets hurt, awards the doer with caning. We're talking about hurting human being here, is it more serious?

Answer 130

Its quite simple- is'n- it? Respect and Tolerance !!! Treat your fellow human regardless where he/she come from the way you want to be treated ,and you will earn respect in return (but maybe the couple like to be slapped around and enjoying it?who knows there are such kind of people- but they should not involve or take it out on their maid can kick each other if the enjoy and consent to it)

A domestic worker is not a slave!!!!! Treat with respect and you will earn respect. Respect build trust, trust build care and abolish tensions.

No tensions no confrontation.

Also maids should think about that.

Answer 131

Maid abuse happened everywhere and YES, is not acceptable and can not close one eye. Those who are wrong should be punish be it employer or employee.



But PLEASE, don't always ask the same old questions: "WHY SINGAPOREANS or WHAT SINGAPOREANS or HOW SINGAPOREANS???" as if WE are the ONLY ONES ON EARTH THAT ARE REALLY SO 'NOT NORMAL' ya?



Sure there's not much we can do to 'ENSURE' bad things do not happen; but we may encourage a friendlier society where people learn to respect more of each others rights...

Answer 132

When the employees abused their maid, they will be jailed. But what if the maid abuse an elderly person or a child that is under their care? They would probably be send back to their hometown and if you are lucky the MOM will blacklist her.That's all folks... they escape just like that! Maybe that is why these employees abuse their maids.. cos they know that if they were to report her deeds to the police she will still escape. I think the law should protect the employees as well.

Answer 133

obviously offenders are not as well educated as we think they ought to be. singapore cant do much to prevent people from behaving in such a barbaric manner, it runs in their blood, so to speak. the only thing we can do is to punish offenders and let everyone know exactly what will happen to them should they attempt to turn into some slave-driver. some people try to blame it on the maids - the way i see it, whatever the maid seems to be, we, as civil citizens, should never lay a finger on her no matter what the circumstances. if the maid is not up to your par, then report it or get a new one to take her place. thats the only thing that should be done. if they have a NEED to hit something, then try hitting their own head against the wall, so they can forget about the maid, literally.

Answer 134

Stop more foreign domestic maids from entering Singapore for a few years. Lessen the maids force. Let every households to do their own house work and they will know that they cannot survive in Singapore without a maid to help them to bring kids to and fro the school, accompany their elders, help them to cook meals, wash clothes, clean the house, buy food, walk the dog's', help them carry stuffs when going out or overseas etc.



Limit to a certain payslip that can have maid at home. or have the maid to work only as hourly maid (Zhong dian nu yong).

Answer 135

I am an ex-maid agent. Presently, I have an indonesian maid working with me for 3 years.

I recommend all maid employers do consider these points before they employ a maid in their household.



1) Prepare yourself with the mentality like any business boss

2) Train and treat the maid with patience and proper guidances

3) Let her know the guidelines you require from her

4) Talk daily with her like you would to your family

5) Let her know she can look for you when she is in doubt or problem

6) Inform the whole family to treat her like any family member

7) If the maid is not suitable to work in your household after 3 months training, let her know your intention to change maid, at the same time will help her get another employer.



Employer is like the maid's family, guardian, counsellor, teacher to maid.

Answer 136

What i can say is Singaporean have to look at themselves in the mirror.

have a good look at themselves, are they animals or human with a brain.

i am saying these although i am Singaporean myself.

Too many of them due to educated, work in big companies etc etc and may hold certain position in the company that make them think too highly of themselves.

In fact, those who feel that they have some extra money to spares for other things and holding job tittle like manager of xxx or head of dept of xxx.



They have never think if if they going to work like those maid cause to them, they are like slaves and they are the master so they can wip and wack them if they feel the maids have done something wrong.



Singaporean are going backwards to those old thinking ways by using money buy some slaves and treat them like dirt.

That is how Singaporean is thinking too highly.

Answer 137

It's unspeakable for one human being to ill-treat another human being as such. We all need to look at a bigger picture...the issue should not be looked at just from between an employer vs a worker/maid. It ought to be looked at from the perspective of two human beings who need each other to be successful in their lives. So treat each others with utmost respect and uphold human dignity would be a very fundamental traits we all must show to each others.



Some readers said: "show more respect to the maid...."; I say "show respect to the maid" PERIOD....no less, no more.



Prevention?

- ban them from getting maid (for life)

- heavy fine

- jail them for repeat offenders



Depend on the severity of the offence, all three sentences above may apply altogether.

Answer 138

As long as those not able to afford to have domestic helper, were given the go ahead to employ one, there will bound to be maid abuse, simply because these group of self claim "employers" just want to make their $$ worth, so any slack from the maid is bound to invite abuses.

Answer 139

Medical will say it all. If someone was abused, somebody must be responsible and don't call these domestic helpers a culprit in your society. You are not being irresponsible taking care of your own child that is why you need maids, therefore, they are helping you in taking care of your child and the house when you are not around. Everybody deserves respect. Much higher gravity of punishment should be given to those who did not respect other's well-being... in a monetary and emotional way. Monetary by compensating those that are being abused and emotionally, by publishing those abusers in newspapers...

Answer 140

I really cannot understand this.. Our quality of living, educational profile and financial status hv improved by leaps n bounds since the 60's. Why are there still cases of barbaric and uncivilised behaviour coming frm our citizens, particularly in the area of domestic helpers? Maybe the maid was at fault. Maybe not. But to use violence n abuse on her for watever reason, was simply NOT RIGHT. Respect others if you want others to respect u.

Answer 141

Yes I wish to add my view-nobody has actually looked into the avenue why such abuses happen???

Its the agents- in Singapore and the country these ladies come from-that stern action shud be taken upon by MOM- MOM shud look into this suggestion seriously

These poor girls/women sell their properties, gold, belongings,obtain loans etc and come here for a better future and monies. The Agents in Spore before delivering the girls to the prospective employers seek a ridiculous amt say S$3000.00 as their fee and their counterparts fee-whch is to be paid upfront and this amt is ridiculous-no breakdown is provided??????Agents claim their Indonesian counterparts have sought this amt- whch is not true

These poor girls/women are offered a salary of S$350-$400 per month-and the amount of $3000 is deducted in abt 7.5months or 8.50 months instalments-the domestic help gets S$10.00 or $20.00 from her employer for those 7.5 montns or 8.5 months-

How can they survive or sent money back???It is only on the 9th month she is able to sent money back aftr the Agents have got their ridiculous demanded funds and the Employer his full $3000.00

These ladies are poor and their families depend on their earnings in Spore -

Without being able to remit money - frustration grows and productivity goes down- emp[oyers feel tht after paying sucjh big amounts as S$3000 they are not getting their values????? MOM pls wake up!!!

Answer 142

There's always 2 sides to a coin. Better training should be given to the maids. Employers should be clear themselves that they cant trust a maid totally. So as to avoid their loved ones to fall into the wrong hands.

Answer 143

Its very simple, just impose a very heavy fine of $50k as jail sentence is not effective plus a total ban on the family for employing another maid, inclusive of the other members of the family, like their brothers and sisters.



It may sound a bit absurd but I am sure it is effective when others get involved in this offence.



The association AES with those bright guys would be able to provide a solution to it.

Answer 144

Instead train the maids how to serve the employer train the employers first how to treat a least paid domestic worker work more than 12hrs a day..if they don't abide put them as a domestic worker for one month as a punishment..

Answer 145

I believe there are good and bad maids out there. I have tried to treat my maid like my family member but she take advantage of it and keep demanding this and that. Worst of all, she ever tried to challenge to fight with my son (12 yrs old) with the bamboo stick when my son made her angry. When I told her that she shouldn't be doing this, she said she just want to scare my son only and this is not the first time she is doing this, she ever challenge me to fight with her also. I told her I'm not so stupid to fall into her trap. Her brother just passed away recently (July 10) and I bought her a ticket (I paid for it) to fly back and who knows that she said she wants to borrow $1000 from me again (she still owe me $1000) but I just lend her $350 only. When she is back in Philippine, she send me an sms, asking me to send her money again but I never. When she is back in Singapore, I knew she is very unhappy about it and she dun even want to talk to me for a couple of days. My maid ever told me that she will go to work part time when she got off day. I dun want to get myself into trouble by increasing her another $20 for not letting her to go on off day. My maid is quite lucky that I'm not somebody whom will get aggressive so easily otherwise she might have being hit by me. Sometime, is not that the employer dun treat the maid well but some maids dun deserve to be treated so well at all..

Answer 146

MOM should enforce its own policies regarding treatment of maids. All the contracts stipulate that they are entitled to at least one day off per WEEK, yet most Singaporeans only allow one day per month if at all! These people should be reported, the maids should be transferred and repeat offenders should not be allowed to employ maids.

Answer 147

Stiffen the punishment, publish these people's faces on frontpage each time such offence are committed, and make them do hours of community work like those litter-bugs. These people are simply ignorance and egoistic. I doubt they would hit each other if either the husband or the wife had caused the child to cry.



My previous personal and work experiences dealing with employers of foreign domestic workers did prove that people tend to be subconciously made to feel like they were the 'Kings' and 'Queens', while these poor workers are their servants, worse still, slaves. They might feel it is a very big of a deal paying for their domestic workers' levies and salaries, henceforth they feel they 'own' the workers thus justifying them to do anything they want to their 'servants'. Its similar concept to slavery.



Shame on you people.

Answer 148

What can be done when this is the typical attitude of majority of Singaporeans, Maids must work without "off days", cannot possess hand phones, cannot talk to neighbours' maids but CAN work from 5.30am (children must go to school) to 12mn or 1am (it is rude to sleep when the employer is still awake.



Which employer of a maid would work with no off-day and work from 8am to 10pm? Resign or complain to MOM



Which employer of a maid would work when talking to colleagues is not permitted?



Give maid abusers the ROTAN









. .

Answer 149

Why these maids cannot have their own apartments (like workers) they work in the morning and

go back to their apartments in the night (a very important suggestion in the sense they will have their own life & pace specially where apartments are small and maid has to live in it becomes less spacious)

Can MOM look into this and do some research?.



In addition to thatbeing patient we have to be caring for fellow human being.

Answer 150

This goes to show that our society has not reach First World

Standard YET!!! Singaporean's mentality is still very much the same

as Third World Standards. The only way to upgrade ourselves

is to punish and shame these assholes, stick it to them that

they are not living in medieval times. Maids or Domestic

Helpers are to be treated humanely. Assholes it is time to

learn to behave like Human.

Answer 151

Ban for life! for this couple not to have maid and put both of them in jail. Doesn't mean they pay maid salary they can do what ever they want and abuse the maid. Both should be ashamed of their action.

Answer 152

I would hope that the abuser can be sentenced to be a helper for different group of family for a month or longer depends on how serious the abuse caused to the helper. Let them be aware how tough job it is to be a helper!!!



Even though if it were the helper fault that caused the baby cried, it never the right thing to beat up the helper!! If you are not satify with her performance, let her go and change a new one. This is the best solution for both parties rather than u landed in jail just because u unhappy with her performance and beaten her up.



Please respect HUMAN RIGHT of your helper!!! They are HUMAN, they have feeling too!! A peanut salary , long hours work is never an easy job for them! Treat them as HUMAN please!!

Answer 153

For those who don't give their maid off day, cannot use hand phone, must work long hrs, etc are all very selfish bastard. They only know how to complain about their boss never give this never give that, boss only know how to come out stupid rule, leave not enough lah, pay to low lah and have to work two people work lah etc. But they never take a mirror and look at them-self. They are worst than their boss. The best way to punish them is make them to work at as a maid for certain hrs, like the way our government punish those littering, doing collective work.

Answer 154

But how about those domestic workers do ugly things behind their employers? Stealing, Cheating & etc...



If employers were to get punish, there goes the same to the them... Just because of some extreme ones knows & feels that government are always supporting them & they get their way out...



When maid enjoy themselves & get pregnant, who suffers? Not maid or their lovers but employer cos they have to bear the cost... is that call fairness to them.....



If fairness given to them, also applies to the employers.... That is called fairness...

Answer 155

Get agencies who generally took money from both ends to work harder and put in their fair share of work. Have agencies follow-up and provide feedback avenues for both employers and maid. They are afterall the 1 who brought both parties together after doing screening maids and getting requirements from employers. Thus, they should be also responsible for any mis-match.

Answer 156

do you actually know what happened to the couple? whose side of story is this? is this the maid side or the employer side? erm...have you guys have maids before? do you know that employers of maids have to endure mental torture and stress that the maid cause? im sure if you asked any indonesia maid employers they wld give you the same exact ans that is sometimes maid also will provoke you. for this case for instance, what would you do if your child leg is prick by needle? How come the needles just appear out of no where in the house? ever think about that before? well i think some maids just deserve what they got? wat abt maids that stole employers things? how come its not covered? wat abt maids that beat up the children of the employers? do u all know the story behind every maid..im sure noe....

Answer 157

Firstly i think S'poreans should also remember their roots..we were a 3rd country at one time. .. we allow greed, success and the spice of life affect us that we have become a people of self centredness, selfish, rude, proud people and we have forgotteen courtesy...what would happen if the countries where the helpers come form decide not to send any more helpers ( abuse is high in S'pore )... what is to become of our kids, and homes.. i'm shocked we are educated people or must i say academically educated BUT NO CHARACTER AND WISDOM IN HUMANITY>>that makes us stupid idiots..good on paper and score A"s but useless in the human mankind.. SORRY SAD TO SAY THAT... welcome to the real S'pore..



Domestic helpers are aids to help us when we go to work.. as parents especially the woman DO NOT LEAVE THE UPBRINGING TO THE HELPERS THEY ARE NOT THE PERSON WHO GAVE BIRTH TO YOUR KIDS, YOU AS PARENT ESPECIALLY THE WOMAN SHOULD BRING UP THE KIDS YOURSELF, IF NOT YOUR IN LAWS OR YOUR PARENTS'. Frankly speaking i'm a s'porean myself... i am working and when i get home i take over from the helpers especially after a good bath and dinner so they can rest.. when they are happy your kids will be happy..treat others the way you want others to treat you..when i had to stop their services becoz the kids were big,, my helper cried and did not want to leave my family..



Being an affluent society does not necessary make us proud, abusive and rude.. sorry to say this we S'POREANS HAS LOST OUR SENSE OF BEING A PEOPLE OF COURTESY..

Answer 158

employer should receive stern punishment(cane,fine and imprisonment all together at once) if the maid seriously injured,scar or can cause disability,the employer should bear all the cost and should pay the maid through out her entire life with a reasonable amount on top of the punishment....hopefully with this solution can avoid singaporean to do stupid things to all the helpers don't care what race they are....

Answer 159

1. Before despatching the maid to the employer, every maid should be given a translation in their own language a copy of the list of Singaporean laws that protect their rights as human beings and as employees and what constitutes as violation of their personal rights. Included should be a hotline and details of how to access help.



2. Although every Singaporean should know his law (ignorance is no excuse to quote MM), the following can still be done: At the point of employment, every employer must be handed a copy of the Penal Code and sign acknowledgement that they have read it and understood it. Included in the employer's package should be a list of employer's responsibilities in accordance to the employment act and other related statutes. Fines and imprisonment penalties should be highlighted at this point as well. OR



Mandatory attendance of legal lecture for every new hire on the legal responsibilities of the employer.



3. Publish the face of recalcitrant employers all over in every media form i.e. wall of shame, especially print media. They should be treated like criminals for behaving criminally.



4. Publish blacklisted employers names and faces in every government site e.g. MOM, ICA, SPF and every maid employment agency.



5. Institute a division to supervise and monitor these blacklisted employers if for any pressing reason they still require the services of maids and are successful in their hire - something like on parole.



6. Impose a ban on domestic hiring on offenders for a period of 2 years for each reported offense.



7. Launch a national campaign on good employer/employee habits. Publicise Best Employer/Employee award profiles to showcase examples of atttitudes and practices of model employees and employers. Make sure these ads appear on every medium including cable tv, tv, radio, cinema, buses, mrts, banners outside hawker centres etc.etc. etc.

Answer 160

The only way to PREVENT it is to establish and enforce definitive laws for fair treatment of indentured employees.



The best method to encourage fair treatment is to treat citizens with respect as essential to the success of Singapore and the government; not the other way around.



The worst result of this issue is teaching the youngest generation that respect is not necessary. The maids are expected to care for the children yet are denied authority. Not healthy for society.

Answer 161

First, the employer's mentality must be changed. A domestic helper is there to help and not to take over the employer's job of being a homemaker or caregiver. If a domestic helper cannot cope for any reason, try to understand. Of course, if a helper deliberately refuses to perform her duties, it's another story.

Answer 162

One word. prevent all Indonesian maids from entering Singapore as domestic maid ever.

I'm an employer for domestic maids in Singapore for more than 12 years.



They were "ALWAYS" full of drama.



Employers in Singapore whom have gone thru that would definitely understand what I'm trying to convey. Nuff said!!



Employ "one" yourself, and let us know the outcome of how well your Indonesian maid 'respect' you.

Answer 163

it has to go both ways. what will the government do when the maid mistreat the baby, try to do funny wired things to their employer like, spit on their cooked food etc ... ... maids are no angel too.



got to be fair here. im not condoning maid abuse just looking for a fair ground to work with.

Answer 164

The agents have a sole responsibility to advise the maids to seek outside help the very instance of trouble at home. The maids come from poor backgrounds and are socially introvert in a foreign land. They have to be given confidence by the agents. They have to be advised that this is just a regular job and not tied by any social bounds.

Answer 165

This is not new...I’ve seen a Maid just seating without any food just watching her Boss and members of the family Eating their lunch’’. How many Maids are suffering like this & no voice at all?....

Answer 166

Employers should go for compulsory course before hiring FDW(foreign domestic helper).



Even FDW goes for course in MOM before they move to their employers' home.



Same should apply to Employers.



In this case, i think if FDW is causing so much stress to the employers and also if the bio-data does match the employers' criteria upon the 1st month of work. MOM should create policy to enable to logged compliants and against errant agencies and maids. Of coz, employer needs to gather the required evidence. For cases of maids failing to meet the requirement of employer intentionally, example: mis-treating the kid not amounting to abuse. MOM should either create demerit point system or suspend/ban the maid from re-entering singapore as FDW. In any case, employer should evidence such as warning letter given to maid or video evidence.



P/S: MOM, if you choose to follow my suggestion, please send a "Thank you" letter :)

Answer 167

Nobody wants to be a maid, everybody would like to be a rich person but depends on each of life of luck, if in future hope everybody could be get sympathies each other and carry on all over the world,....

Answer 168

I wonder if those convicted of maid abuse be barred from employing maid for certain period of time. Something like driving license in drink driving case or hit and run.

Answer 169

that is reality nowadays.anywhere in this damn world rich[in fairness to nice rich]people often mistreat there domestic workers in common name "maids".not only hurt physically but they starved to death thier maids,meaning the maid is loaded with all those household chores and eat less..and im glad that singaporian government maybe had a little bit of law that is why that damn ignorant flight attendant sleep in jail and his husband,i wish they were fines too..

Answer 170

This is only one side of story..we should not be asking for peoples opinion with one side story, what is the second side of story is required to pass any judgement. Yes this is against humanitarian grounds to misbehave with the helper we hire for doing our part of work but on the contrary there are maids who creates these kinds of situaions by avoiding doing the duties they are paid for and then getting public sympathy. Just my two cents worth opinion.

Answer 171

Perhaps such abuse arise from the upbringing when they were bashed up by their own parents, they must have learn or experienced it somewhere in order for them to exhibit their own on the victim. Yes, stress level or to seek attention can contribute to such behavior.



Our economy strife, not without sacrificing our time spent with love ones. Maids are human too, they bridge the gap of time that you are unable to do it yourself, be it baby sit or household chores. Seek professional help if you have the tendency to outburst your emotion or pick up a hobby with your love one. Bridge the gap of time spent yourself with your love one, pick up a hobby together, yes you may include your maid if you prefer.

Answer 172

Maids have expectations and will take advantage of good employers too. My ex-maid of 3 years went back for her 2 weeks break and came back demanding for off days even though we have increased her salary more than market rate. Maid A working in the neighbourhood came to tell us that she had got a boyfriend and they went to a hotel when I let her have half day off day on her birthday. She lied that she was going for a meal with this maid A. She had stolen from the family and slapped my baby girl while we were out and even carried her to meet her boyfriend. Feedback from neighbours but we did not have real proof to report her. What a nightmare? In the end she was terminated and sent home. My present maid got her advance salary to send home before repaying her loan on her 2nd month service. She wanted to buy a house in Indonesia, story is mother's neighbour has breast-cancer, want to sell house so I send to Indonesia SGD 3000 (advance salary) with the condition that she extends her contract to 2 more years. She promised but after I sent the money, came crying in less than 1 month after postage of cash after a call home and told me she wanted to break her promise and she wanted to work in HK or Taiwan which pay higher. She even suggests me releasing her for interview in agency and make arrangement for her to work in other countries when contract expired next year. She takes advantage of nice employers. That makes me a silly employer... My maid eats what we eat, sleep in air-con room with the children in a condo, has red packets for birthday, festive occasion and birthday cake. Unfortunately she still think we are not good enough to her.

Answer 173

simple,want to avoid all this ****?

don't take indonesian maids cause they are malicious,evil and cruel...everything they do is ok but when employers tries to correct them,they get on their employers nerves...have you heard this kind of cases happen to filipinas and sri lankans?NO.so don't take indonesian maids,they are saboteurs and cruel towards employers cos they can hurt employers but we cannot do anything to them.

My previous indonesian ***** maid cries rape on my father but it turns out untrue cos she wanted to blackmail my father into buying her a set of jewellery..talking to her did not work cos she starts throwing things around the house and killing my kitten by throwing her down my 10storey apartment,(caught on camera) She brought in strangers into the house (for sexual stuff),she had an orgy party in the house while i'm away.she broke my stuff on deliberately.(all caught oin camera.)what do you suggest i do to her at that time?well,i did not hit her,instead i sent her back to the agency,but guess what,she got me banned for 5 years from getting another maid cos she claimed i used abusive language on her after i found out the kitten was murdered.fair or unfair?

Now i have a super nice maid from philippines and she's been with me for 8 years now,the trust we have for her is so much that I can leave the house knowing that she'll protect the house on my behalf.

Answer 174

Do not allow them to hire maid again b4 the next maid get abuse.

Answer 175

Agree with what onlooker say. don't we'll release that now a days rule tend to side on maid side but not on the employer. how many case was reported when the maid pinched/hit/give medical oil to children or wat by the maid?

if i'm not wrong, most employer will quickly sent them back on the sports & case was not reported? don't always look @ one side of the story as we always need BOTH hand to clap.

Answer 176

We came in singapore to work but that's not mean we are a slave or animal that they can hurt anytime they want,we are not electrict device that they can plug anywere and anytime they want,even handphone need to plug inn to charge battery so you can use it later so it sames as person who wake up so early and have a rest only at late nigth with incomplete food,pleas to all employer try to treat your helper as how they treat you too we are all person and god creation,no matter where evryone came from pleas be a HUMANE,everybody has a family,you love your family so why you cant love others as they love you too,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,stop abusing,stop mistreating,wheres your heart,?share your knowledge,share your bless,be profesional,give forgiveness,free you heart from anger,be conscientiously,appreciate the goodness and correct in a good way those mistakes.

Answer 177

Singaporean must not assumed that the maid is to manage the household on their own. they are there to assist with a fee. Also their background and thinking is different. So be humane.

Answer 178

Always remember, find out why the child is crying. abusing is not the right thing in life. Have to pay heavy price. To goes the same to the maid too, cos they can do anything when the employers are not around and we don't get see until things got worse. So it is two.

Answer 179

there is really good employer and mostly already abuses employer yes sometime maid also make mestake

they come here but they dont know what kind of employer they take of them in the contract 8 hour must be rest aday but after in house she work 5:30am to 1am or they need to wait her or his employer till come back.are the maid is un-educated or the employer........ some agency also if you complain to them about ur employer doing they just egnore you or must they angry to you how you to the agency to complain.....

are this is fair to the new maid that dont know what kind of people are the singaporian

so dont blaim again the third country did the all singaporian can read or can tall or understant ENGLISH

OR SEMPLE YES OR NO.... SINGAPORIAN ALSO CANT TALL PROPARE ENGLISH

Answer 180

Lower the cost of living in Singapore and the competition for education. Our kids don't need extra tuition or enrichment classes. Then, can rely on one income. Alternatively, wife can take on less stressful work. Husband is encouraged to take on less stressful work. So, everybody is relax when come home. They will treat domestic workers nicely.



It is all about $$$ and stress living in Singapore. Some cannot take it and vent it on domestic workers, some commit suicide, some commit other crimes, hurting themselves, hurting others.



Singapore - less stress, less $ problem please.

Answer 181

What will happen to you if your employer demanding tasks that beyond your job scopes ? I am sure you will feel angry, inefficeint, unwilling,etc. but the worst is all are kept in silent and times bomb. Come on, be fair and apply the same rules to your house assistance or 'Maid".

Answer 182

I totally disagree with what the couple had done but have to also know the other side of the story.



I would like to share my experiences with the Domestic Aid which we have employed so far.



Firstly We have Maid Agencies who promise the world to ask prior to signing on the dotted lines. Secondly we have the Domestic Aid's who would agree to anything to get an employer.



Our requirements were 1. Must be able to look after 2 kids (Now they are 29 months and 7 yrs of age). 2. Must be able to cook for the kids at least. 3. Must be able to do the household chores.



When they start my Wife goes through all the requirements by showing them what needs to be done on a daily bassis (Obviously we ask them to do only what we ourselves are able to do) nothing more then we can do ourselves. This tasks are showen through 1 whole week wif my Wife taking leave during this period and fulfilling all the requirements herself, the helper is allowed to say if its too difficult so we can suit to her convenience.



At the end of one week the helper will say such things like, I'm homesick, I can't manage with 2 kids, can u get another helper so we can look after 1 kid each, I'vee Never looked after a kid despite me having 2 of my own as my Mum looks after them, I Never ironed before, I can't cook, My agent said i must say yes to all the questions or I'lll not get a job and many more.



We have had a change of 16 maids over a period of 2 years for all these reasons and lost lotsa monie with the agencies some were helpful and most were not.



We have had Domestic Aid who would give my Son then 3 months of age cough mixtures so that he slept the whole day while she conveniently had guys and construction workers (who were involve in the upgrading programme in my area) coming up to my house. We spoke to her many times(3 months) before we had no choice but to change.



We had Domestic Aid who on many occasions who wanted to give my Son milk in boiling HOT water, when asked she just kept quiet. When asked why she did such things, she bluntly said that she was told by her other Friends that, this was one of the many ways by doing such things that they could be send back home free without paying for a flight back home not thinking of the consequences they will have to face. When we told the agent what happened he merely screamed at the aid and told us don't worry she'lll not do it again. Obviously she did and found other methods too.



Finally after all this experience, we were blessed with a Helper (PART OF OUR FAMILY NOW) who not only looks after the kids but all of us like we are her family. She has never thought that she's working with us but it was her responsibility for the family. We sit on the couch watch movies together, eat together, go for holidays together, joke together.



So I conclude by saying that not all employers are bad and not all aid's are bad as well. But this is an issued we still have to address that the agents are very responsible for their aid's that they promise us. As many of this aids come here taking advantage of the law and situation to their advantage.

Answer 183

1) As one the person suggested on the answers - It is time Singaporeans find the time to do the caring of children, do the household chores themselves. Sure every job has its risk attached, but when pain is inflicted and trauma caused by employers then the very practice of employing maid is questionable. There are cleaning companies that will clean your house, hawker centres, food courts and restaurants to fill your hunger, child care centers for the young, old folks home for the old, hospice for the going. We don't need maids. Ban employing maids practice.



2) Our values and mentality have not changed over the decades. "Maids are treated as slaves". With that mentality it gave the employers that "privilege" to do what they want with the maids. Our society has evolved to this state where we lose sight of where we are going. it is not love where you can love one (your children) and hate the one who take care of them, Do we know what love is?

It is time our education be changed and not limited to the studying of those technical or equipping ourselves with skills and knowledge preparing ourselves for society. At the end of it all it is people we are relating with, it is people we are sharing the space with, it is people we help to help ourselves. We need to learn people skills, we need to learn to value one another, to care for each other.

It is not easy for a start as we have a lot of ideas, as we allow religious beliefs to divide us, customs and cultures to separate us further. But we need to start now to learn to put our basic human values first and use our differences to enhance our lives, , otherwise further degradation of society from one generation to the next will worsen. And this will add to our own demise.

We need re-education on basic human values at home, in society, and not forgetting governmental level to treat her people with kindness and respect too.

Answer 184

Domestic workers are really lack of proper, serious, good training and this is so vital because by standard they are already naive, inexperience and lack of much common sense.



As much as I agree that no physical abuse should be done on any domestic worker as the most the employer should do is to change maid if they find her not suitable. As an employer of domestic maids for many years, I can fully understand the trauma, the frustration, the intolerable action faced by employer towards a maid.



Years before I had a maid, i used to side and fight for other people's maid when I see the slightest unfair treatment until I started to have my own maid, I understand the trauma an employer has to face too. They can make an employer so upset and frustrated beyond words. As much the word forgive and overlook n close one eye has to be applied during the working period but its really not an easy thing to live with them either though yes they are of help in the household.



I have experienced with a forgetful maid who after 2 unbelivable months of reminder was still unable to remember to close a cabinet door each time she open it and kept forgetting to off toilet or room light and forget many countless things. My sibling had a a maid who brought a indian road sweeper to the house for sex and another one was a theft. I had one who always go out buy 4D and wont pick the phone when I called after she had gone out long to buy food. I had one who on 2nd day washed clothes without her tee shirt and only bra which shocked me. When baby is growing, maid would cook too salty food inspite of me telling her several times not to put too much salt and few times when i checked by tasting the food, food was salty. Many lack common sense like wrapping baby so hot when the aircon in the room is not cold due to lack of gas. One can hit the spade with ham stuck on spade n ham all landed on floor. After telling her to scoop milk powder over basin so that powder if drop in basin or kitchen top is easier to clean than on the floor. Maid can answer back by saying her mind n my mind think differently n wont die if milk powder fall to floor n insist on scooping powder away from kitchen top. They can use phone to sms their friends til baby's porridge burnt. Last month my current maid of several months used our house phone to call a guy at 2am, as tel was reflected on our phone bill. I gave her a scolding and overlooked the matter because she can work. Had one that cannot be corrected even without a single tone of scolding and refuse to answer employer. My inlaw had one who came for first day and refuse to work n sit on bed when my inlaw are those that treat maid good. I have the experienced of being so frust with maid that i cried in front of them and dashed to my room to cry because of frustration. I have experienced that I had to leave the house just to avoid too much of the maid. If anyone wants to know the full strength of how a maid can turn an employer mad, email me and I can list a few hundreds things a maid did that can make a employer pull her own hair. My current maid is the only maid I ever suspected of money theft as our money has been missing few times but I am still unable to tap the theft and had to close one eye just because current maid can work. I just locked up my wallet.



So I hope MOM will be fair to understand the trauma an employer faced too. Like I said I am not supporting employer who hit maid but I really cant understand the frustation that lead them to do so.

Answer 185

( 1 )------- COMPULSORY ATTENDING A TALK BY MINISTRY OF MANPOWER THE PENALTIES THEY WILL GET AND SHOW CASES OF PAST HISTORY.



( 2 ) VIDEO SHOWS OR TALKS WHY MAIDS SACRIFICE THEIR LOVING FAMILY TO COME TO SOME MEAGRE MONEY TO SEND BACK HOME------- WILL INSTILL TO THEM THE COMPASSIONATE PART.



( 3 ) BAN THEM FROM EMPLOYING ANY MORE MAIDS.



( 4 ) EMPLOYERS SHOULD SHOULDER HALF THE COSTS OF BRINGING MAID OVER. MAIDS SHOULD GET THEIR SALARY FROM THE SECOND OR THIRD MONTHS ONWARDS FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE PAY. CANNOT SUBJECT THEM NOT RECIVING ANY PAY FOR A PERIODS OF 6 TO 8 MONTHS. IT IS A CASE OF HUMAN ABUSE !



( 5 ) GIVE ALL INCOMING MAIDS PAMPLETS THE LAWS AND RIGHTS OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT AND THE PHONE NUMBERS OF THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR TO COMPLAIN.

Answer 186

d'amm to the singaporean government. They should pass a law, a hard law to funish the employer who done that. like 10 years in prison plus pay a US$1000 to the victim "if guilty". if they do this kind of funishment there's no such problem and not be happened again.

Answer 187

In developed nations or those Ang Mor in Singapore they do not treat a maid like us. Because they are really developed - Singapore is fake - many are still have 3rd world mentallity. May be because we are benefit-oriented society.

Answer 188

Presently employers are able to check on the FDW's employment history in Singapore. The same should be made available to maids and employment agencies so that they will be able to identify the employers with bad records.

Thank you

James

Answer 189

It is all about compassions. Sad to know that our society is facing such problems, partially due to stress? It is a social problems and could lead to more serious problems in the future - not only to maids but otehr sectors.

Answer 190

To all those 'helper' who wrote on this subject:

Aren't you lucky to be in Singapore working for an employer who allows you to use the internet and start complaining about Singaporeans?



Some 'helper', especially those who knows how to speak english, thinks that they are very smart. Talk about their human rights, so on and so forth. But in the first place, they already know what they are getting into when applying for a job as a 'helper' at home. But once they are here, they start to ask for this and that. They want to stay in a comfortable condominium, working for the so called 'Ang Mor' (I have seen them putting up advert to ask for a change of employer on the Cold Storage notice board'. They think that working for the Ang Mor means no need to work so hard, got off day, watch TV at home, sit in big cars, may be even find themselves some ang mor to hook up with and get married.



For those maid in Singpaore, why didn't they choose to go places like Hong Kong, China, Malaysia. I believe they have their own answers. If Singapore is not good enough for these self-proclaim human-rights activists, then go home and earn money from their own country, why come to Singapore.



When people goes against the law, punish him/her according to the law, there is no need to say whether he/she comes from whichever country. People make mistakes, helpers or employers alike. When someone says Singaporean is this or that, then ask themselves this question, what does one says about a person who make general comments and criticises others without the facts.



Reminder once again to all 'helpers' in Singapore:

You choose to take up the job, then do it well and accordingly. If you don't like it, go home. There is always someone who is willing to do it and do it properly. If you are here to find a boyfriend or something, go somewhere else. Don't cause your employer problem by getting pregnant or something. Don't run away from your employer who did not mistreat you, but merely did not allow you to make phone calls to your boyfriends. Do not invite all your friends, who you got to know from some shopping centre into a home that doesn't belongs to you. It is your responsibility as well to respect your employers home. Remember you do not own the house. Your employer needs to pay not only your salary, but also your food, your drinks, your place to sleep and many other things. If you get a job a waitress in any country, you can start to pay for the rental of the room, your food and drinks and many other expenses by yourself and yo can have all the 'freedom'. If you want to do that, please go ahead, no one is stopping you. Don't make it as if you have no choice. You have a choice.



People want to have a helper at home to make live easier. Not to get more headaches or trouble. But bad examples of those english speaking, self proclaim human-rights helpers, does not help the situation, but only make things worst. They think that they are educated, but speak with little knowledge of the issues. We are all human, respect each other is important. I believe respect needs to be earn, I respect people who does their job professionally, no matter the job earns them $1 or $1M. So long as they are not against the law.

Answer 191

So much have been said to protect maids from being mistreated by employers. I would like feedback on what can be done to protect employers.

Answer 192

There should be fines issued to employers who are proven to have mistreated their maid. I have just employed a transfer nanny who is very hardworking and even willing to work for me FOC for the first 3 months because she knows she will be treated well in my household. Why? Because she has been to 3 other employers who have taken advantage and treated her poorly i.e., made her eat stale food/lack of food in the house, made her handwash all clothes of 5 adult employers, made her clean the employer's sister's house, condoned the kids when they hurt her and so on. FDWs are NOT slaves, they are, like most of us, also just WORKING FOR A LIVING. They dedicate their lives, forego the usual rights that we take for granted (use of handphones, rest days, just basic freedom) to take care of our household/family. They work for 6-8 months to pay off their debt to their employment agency FOC! The least we can do is be fair and treat them humanely. If we are unhappy with their service, it's always an option to terminate them but NEVER hurt them. I treat my nanny like a member of my family and she treats my daughter as family too. It's a win-win situation. For those who don't know how to treat an FDW, please just get a cleaning service, look for after-care centres for your kids, etc. but don't employ. Take pity on these workers who have to leave their own families to earn peanuts. Btw, my nanny is a graduate of a 2-yr college technical computer course. Puhlease, let's treat them better. I heard 1 ex-boss even relegated her to eat standing in the dirty kitchen, another did not want her to even sit a while to rest on the sofa. I can go on & on. Let's apply the Golden Rule always folks. Unless you also want to be mistreated in your own workplace.

Answer 193

I think that Ministry of Manpower officers should visit the employer's house without informing the employers. Fdw are not slave. They are here to give us a helping hand. If you think the Fdw is not perfect than you yourself do the house work. We are lucky that we are born in Singapore. Our country dont face any economic problem So we dont need to work in Overseas. How will our family members feel if this thing happens to us? Wake up treat them equal and Welcome them with our hands open and not in raising our hands on them.......

Answer 194

Dear sir,

from my point of view and i see the husband & wife are over protecting the child and i can understand how their feel after hearing their child crying.but this does not mean they can abuse the maid...the agency must educated them and let them know what's the penalty like the most important let them AWARE of the penalty,



regards

Lawrence

Answer 195

Singaporeans need to learn basic compassion....

Whats the point in talking about Maid abuse when we see they have no care or concern for elderly, neighbours or people around them in general..

We need to address the radical issue here..

Answer 196

Why there isn't a Q&A which titled "What can be done to prevent domestic workers from mistreating their employer's children, the elderly parents, or the disabled sibling, be it Singaporeans or foreigner, that they supposed to take care of?"

Answer 197

this is a simple scenario. treat the case as in any other case.

if there is genuaine wrongdoing as in assault, treat this as an assualt case and prosecute accordingly. if someone dies, treat it as a murder case and deal accordingly.

no need to give self opinated racist views on sporeans or any other race.



of course there are many ugly sporeans around,

but if you travel enough to other asian and other non asian countries,

they are just as bad and even worse. there are always the bad sheeps in every country.



truth is spore is a so called "developed" country but the thinking and culture here is far from it...

compared to other developed nations hence all the dumb campaigns to educate and remind our general public

Answer 198

They did that because they thought paying someone is enough to cover up their shotcomings to their kids. Actually, they should be the one taking care of the kid when their at home. And before you take someone into custody it is your responsibility to screen them and perform detailed checking as what our company do to us. Sometimes we abuse the word of being a "local" here in this country. We treat foreigners as threat to us, or as a competition. But come to think of it who is not a foreigner in this country? Didn't we just arrived earlier then the new batch of foreigners that is coming in now? Just my 5 cent thought.

Answer 199

We could say that the employer is wrong, but wat about the maid... did she done wrong also. I recently send my maid that work for me for 2 1/2 back home... I given her freedom... let her wake up late... when she did not finish her job... i help her but wat did i get back from her.... she never look after properly my kids somemore left my youngest daughter of 8 month at home and meet her boyfriend at the staircase kissing. Some of the maid can be nasty also.. sometime when we treat them good. they climb on top of you.

Answer 200

TIE THEM ON A TREE , RIP OFF THEIR SKIN AND LET THE BIG RED ANTS DEVOUR ON THEIR FLESH, THAT SHOULD BE THE PENALTY FOR MAID ABUSERS. ACTUALLY, SINGAPOREANS ARE THE MOST RUDE PEOPLE I'VE EVER MET. ESPECIALLY THE OLDER ONES, MAYBE BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT USED TO BEING IN A RICH COUNTRY BECAUSE THEY LIVE IN SWAMPS BEFORE, SO THEIR ATTITUDES ARE LIKE OGRES.

Answer 201

over here yes i agree the 2 shld be severely punished for thier crime,. but hey....do you know how my 2 maids treat my little girl?? one maid refused to work after 1 week, her accused my daughter doesnt want to eat! but then this is not the main problem, i asked her to wipe my kitchen cabinet

and within 10 mins she came back and said SEND ME BACK TO AGENT NOW! damm bastard

because she stayed and eat very well for 1 wk- as my daughter was sick and i stayed home for 1 wk

to take care of my daughter and the maid i was not doing anything except sweeping and mopping and wipe my daughter now and then due to high fever, and then on GOOD FRIDAY WHICH TURN OUT THE OUR BAD FRIDAY i just said we are now goin out to take some fresh air for our kid, so you just see what yo can do and help 'ama' at home and wipe and clean the kitchen cabinet - THATS IT! SHE SHOWED THE UGLY FACE - WITH HER MOUTH PROTRUDING OUT SHE DEMANDED SEND HER TODAY TO AGENT WHEN THE BLOODY AGENT IS CLOSED FOR HOLIDAY AND HERE WE ARE HAVING NIGHTMARE - AS WE WILL NEED TO WAIT FOR ONE MONTH to get new maid



THEN 2ND MAID CAME IN WITH BLACK MAGIC SAND AND KEEP INSIDE MY GIRL DRAWER

so i we sent her back after 1 wk too,. SHE EVEN ADMIT this is for the employer to keep her stay longer and WHAT A SUPRISED - FOR ONE WEEK SHE DIDNT WORK BUT ME AND MY MOM WAS DOING EVERYTHING FOR HER INSTEAD AND WE DIDNT REALISE TILL WE found the black sand. then we get struck like lightning thinking hey ---- hey --- hey ---- why are we now like a maid and SHE IS SITTING LIKE A BOSS IN THE HOUSE???



you see the black magic is so strong till we didnt realise what we doing til we found and confronted

her. SHE IS SO LAZY - SHE KEEP STANDING IN SERV BALCONY AND DREAMING



my girl is eating and i am feeding her and the maid is standing in the balcony ?? why ?? i dont know



BOTH ARE INDONESIAN MAIDS



SO I CAN TELL 90% OF THE MAIDS DEMANDING AND CAN TELL LIES -



AND THE GOVERMENT IS COVERING FOR AGENT AND MAID ONLY AND WE CAN DIE

FOR THIS KIND OF BLOODY HELL MAID!

Answer 202

whos take job being maid is not difrent with flight atendant.only difrent salary,long hour and status.maid is human to they are not slave.as a employer must be open mind folow diana serr how to talk to the maid

Answer 203

Have some respect for others. Singaporeans are spoiled, including me! People don't have maids in Europe or USA, slave labour!

Answer 204

Those employer who abusing their maid...no soul at all, and shes not a human being.



Hang is the best solution.

Answer 205

MOM and parent country should have a MOU to penalise agencies, for maids misdeeds, or agencies inability to fullfill the contract, after all they benifitted from the start.

the hotline for maid in distress or employees in doubt is a good start, but managing it can be costly

lastly i would recommend a demerit points and fine for both abusers and agencies/maids

Answer 206

Husband should have longer jail terms than his wife, both should also do community service.

Disallow to have maids within certain period of time.

Answer 207

is there any research that employer mistreating their domestic maid versus domestic maid ill-treat employer's old folks, kids, etc?

should we see the comparison first who is at fault instead of reading the headline?

Answer 208

Send all employers for mental check. I think these are stressed up people and do the silly act, knowing abuse is not only an offence but mad. Same goes to pets owners...

Answer 209

Did you say she is a SilkAir flight attendant? I wonder how she treats all the guests on board the SilkAir? How did she qualify?

Answer 210

1st, the age requirement for indonesian maids to come in singapore as maid is 23yrs old.......i believe the government have a reason for this minimum age entry but have all of u noticed that almost all these maids that comes in are stil below the 23 yrs of age......in their country, all they do is pay money to change their age on the passport and when we employer report this to the agency, they said they based on passport and our money is stuck with them....when we report this to the M.O.M all they did is investigate the maid and send them home but who pays for their airtkt, its us employer.....lying on the biodata is a serious offence and dont u think they ought to be jailed...what is the M.O.M doing? only making known of employer abusing their maids...yes they are wrong in doing that but what about employers whose kids are also being abused but not to the extent of reporting them to the police...u know many times we are at their mercy as we have to treat them good cos we worry for our kids safety while we work. Many of them may not abuse kids but they are so forgetful and careless that it pose a danger already to the kids. they are just too immature as many of them are only 19 or 20 yrs old but lying they are 23yrs old.

in order to stop more abuse cases, M.O.M must be strict on the entry age 1st and if one is caught lying, then jailed them as i feel mature maids may work and cope better...



these employers may feel so stress and frustrated and they vent it out on their maids...my advice to these employers, remain calm, i understand how u feel but by abusing them, it put u in the wrong path so just blacklist them..or we can always upload videos of their wrongdoing on the net to warn other employer......in singapore within a year we cant change more than 5 maids but for the maids, they can just create trouble and get transfer as many times they want as agency just want to earn from them.

Answer 211

before the maid hand over to their employer,,, they undergo so many trainings,,,reminding them of the the s'pore law,,,& how important it is to take care a child,,,maybe mom shld also put the employer into seminar on how to treat a maid before they approved their application to hire a made

Answer 212

Stop hiring human maids and start hiring animal maids. Donkey probably.

Answer 213

The problem is the maid so abolish all maid contracts then no more maids problems

Answer 214

how you treat others is a reflection of your values. even maids deserve to be respected. how do you expect others respect you if your not showing little compassionate to others.

hope theres a rule about this kind of abuse so s'poreans will me more hesitant to hit their maids

Answer 215

MOM should step in to assist Singaporeans. We as employer are also facing mistreating from maid and their agency. It should be title as "What can be done to prevent Maid agencies and maid from mistreating their employers" Be it inaccurate biodata, Pay And Pay agency fees, insurance, allowance, levy.........:(

Answer 216

the couple must have had a very stressfull life.. yeach.. living in Singapore is really stressfull... More Singaporean are getting crazy and rude...what a shame.... nothing can be done unless the person realizes what they are doing to other persons...

Answer 217

I agreed with King K. The question should be phased What can be done to prevent EMPLOYERS from mistreating their domestic workers?

Answer 218

The Government should provide a law to protect these domestic helpers. They also have human rights and they deserve equal and proper treatment.

Answer 219

Wat makes us sure that even if we treat them well , we will deserve back the same treatment. I am a employer of a maid. I took care of her very well but she ran off wif my mum's market expense money to Indo embassy leaving behind my 2 year old kid wif my unwell motherand went MIA for 5days .Its not fair for me to be treated in this way so i believe, Noone will abuse someone unless they are pushed to their limits.

Answer 220

What's wrong with Singapreans? The rich gets richer, the poor gets poorer. Brought out to realise life has no equality and work ... work ... work ... cause no one takes cares of one another. Is that why this couple treats the maid badly.



Every thing has a story ... so what do they have to say?

Answer 221

maybe we set a law for those abusers! ban them from their right to hire a local or foreign domestic workers. give them some penalty that goes to the family of the abused domestic helpers for their sufferings serving inhuman attitude towards them

Answer 222

I am really don't know why same people doing like this.But I am so lucky that I have a great employer treat me like her family.I am living here almost 18 years in singapore but I well say I am so bless to all to my employer...

Answer 223

Shame those maid abusers in public.

Answer 224

What can be done to prevent domestic helpers from mistreating the employers ???



They might be a great helper in the family or a time bomb in the household.

Answer 225

If employers can put themselves in employees' shoes and appreciate that domestic helpers are also human beings with feelings and similar needs and employers be grateful they have them to help them attend to household matters, freeing them to concentrate on other parts of their lives...

Answer 226

the employer must pls teach them a lesson dont ever gave them any foreign domestic worker let them do all the house chores and make sure the MOM take their security bond of $5,000 must really put them a jail as well!1

Answer 227

Who is EM Services? Is it a subsidary of HDB?

Do you know the Block 46, in Bedok South are not allowed to install air con. Is this fair? Why EM Services subsidary of HDB (Singapore) are doing this. What happen to our freedom?

Answer 228

The foreign workers also bully and abuse locals. Prime example, the wardens and care workers at the woodbridge institute of mental health bullied and abused the mental patients taking advantage of their inferior mental states. In retuen I would also take it out on our maids.

Answer 229

why always if there is a maid been abuse the whole world know about it but if maid abuse employer or their family no one know because employer will change maid silently and swallow all the grievance. I have maids for more than 10 years n experience all problem maids silently. One abuse my helpless son when he was only in K1, that time kick my son front tooth bleeding, I was busy working to make a living, after work felt tire but quite observance. 1 nite i saw my son uniform got blood stain after asking my maid n my son then my son told me maid kick him on the mouth. My maid said my son hug her leg when she was locking the window accidentally injured him. 2yrs contract finish after send my maid back and 1day my son then told me my maid slap his face, he said the maid lock him in the house alone he was scare and he cried because clothes drop downstair she bring my little girl with her. Another maid knock my son with her butt n he fell onto the toilet floor curb, injured his backside thats why always complain backbone painful. Another one brought man to my house n my son was pr2 n my girl only pr2 after she went back got 1 malay neighbour told me she saw my maid chitchat with a man at downstair, i was shock to hear that i ask what kind of man she said like banglah. My new maid went to school other maid told her about my ex-maid brought a man into my house in the one morning n happen my husband left his thing behind come back to take n she hide the man in the store, lucky my husband did not notice, if not i don't know what will happen that day n my husband is not a smart man, oh buddha bless. Another one take iron board scared my son face. Now all maids salary high $340 come here n dont want to work, from Indonesia more worse take loan from Indon agent, gave money to family come to spore but dont want to work, once step in to employer house after 1-2 days want to go back agent. Now all very smart not happy run away to mom or embassy n cry is their weapon. Now currently my new maid runaway twice. And we will have to send her back after paying Insurance, agent fees n others. They start work n everyday act blurr, act cute, act pityful and said want to go back. I have 1 everyday sob or cry like baby until i headache. Now maid runaway become trend in spore because got Mom n embassy as their backer n support maid.I heard 1 agent told me at embassy they can enjoy n got swimming pool. B4 got 1 bully my age father runaway during her end of contract, that i believe was encourage by the agent cos i change agent to get another new maid. I believe maid runaway agent also play a part. HOW TO PREVENT MAID ABUSE EMPLOYER!!!

Answer 230

my answer to this question who to be balmed the maid or the employer at last the employer suffers as well as the children

Answer 231

i think that the employer who abuse the maid get the same abuse as punishment to see how it is like and still get jailed to reflect her actions. the maids should also get to watch their "employer" suffer. and if maids steal money from their employers, they have to pay back double the amount stolen. and if the maid ill treat any family member of the employer, the maid will also be abused in the same way and also go to jail.

Answer 232

This waitress in the sky should verbably rectify the problem first then if situation persist then a little spank on the bottom will do. If this waitress is so hot temper,how she can serves her passengers on board??? WORLD PEACE

Answer 233

Employers or employees should take a certain examination in order for them to be qualified on their own purpose before anything else.

Answer 234

make the abusers work as maids in their maid's home back in indonesia

Answer 235

My sympathy goes to the maid.

Answer 236

What the couple doing is cruelty.....but some maids do deserve it.

You treat them too well...they step over your head.

Answer 237

All those people who think it is the maids job to look after your kids that is just dumb. They are your kids. It’s the maids job is to clean the house and cook. A maid is not a kid’s mom or dad. Think about it kids need their parents not a maid.

Answer 238

efectives solution only goes to its goverment. That it should re-assess & redefine the system regulate the housemaid's portion of their duties and rights, firmly and prevalently. Otherwise, there gonna be the 1st servile war about to happen in s'pore.

Answer 239

The sentence of 2 months is too little. I bet if we start with years,

such abuse will come down.



Steven

Answer 240

Don't allow such vile people (Stinkopooreans) to have maids. They're PEASANTS and they think they should have a maid, they should be cleaning up.

Answer 241

what would one know unless we (the flight attendant and the domestic helper) are in their shoes? Perhaps each of them faces their own issue and problems (that could not resolved?). who really wish to get so agitated and who really wish to land herself injured during work? if only life was simpler right? - my own personal thoughts

Answer 242

"Moral Education", most Singaporeans claim to be educated with academic qualifications but yet so many behaving like uncivilised people, How is that? What is wrong? repeatedly punished for all kinds of abuse and yet is still happening. Please reconsider the fundamentals of human...........make it compulsory in our education system. Free to comment......

Answer 243

Maids should be given exclusively to bachelors , not family , spinsters also not allowed .

Answer 244

Isn't this question a little one sided towards our friends from foreign land? Why not say what can be done to prevent maids from mistreating their employers? Isn't there an increase too?



Never mind that, back to this question, I feel that a psychological examination should be inserted into the process of hiring and being hired.

Answer 245

Canning, a heavy fine & a longer term in prison. These people never learn, even though they are well educated & hold a good job.

RC

Answer 246

Let the abuser get treated that way. Do they think that they are to good and above the law to treat people like dirt. Who made them "GOD". I think they're to good to take care of their own household and raise their own kids.

Answer 247

some time employer too stress + the maid also maybe got attitute problem. But some emloyer really too much, they think they hire the maid like means the maid own her life to them. They think they live in ming dynasty where the maid have to kneel down to serve them :P



To be honest. Laws should clearly stated



1. hours of work: Recommeded 5:30 am to 8:30pm (with 1 hour lunch break and 1 hour dinner break). This is reasonable since boys in BMT wake and sleep around this hour, with night training it gets even worst. Of cause dont be silly and wake ur maid up in mid night to cook u supper. 9 hours of rest is way more than enough. To be honest I only sleep 4 hours a day. A min of 6 hours of rest is a must at min.



2. Punishing the maid. This can only be done when maid do not follow instructions. If you did not tell her wat to do then you do not punish. Physical abuse is no no. But punishment like standing in the rain, in hot sun, or soaking the maid wet and then drying her in the sun is ok. Again army do that all the time. But pls have some sense maid are women so 30 mins is enough. Any direct physical abuse would not be torrelated. If u really want you can ask the maid to do push ups, star jump. But emotional abuse like barking like a dog must not be done. Yes it is true in the army you are always being scolded that you are worst then dog ****, but we are man and we can take it, but not all women can take it, beside she is alone, and we in army is in a group and got your mate to support you.



3. A maid is lazy. Some complaint maid do not take initiative to do work, and must be ask before they do things. Please list down what a maid must do daily and must sure she is familar.



4. maid seeing boyfriend and bring bf home. Tell her to stop seeing or get fired



5. maid abuse children or elderly. call the police do nto take matters into own hand



6. maid has attitude problems. Call the agents. In fact all agent should prescan maid for attitue problems.



7. Know how to select maids. Here is few tips from some aunties and myself after observing so many maid horrors.



1. Dont hire maid too young, too young complecent and may suduce your husband, or worst your kids

2. Make sure maid have no tattos, and if there is scar make sure you ask how she got it.

3. make sure she understand basic english and have basic common sense

4. Make sure family background is good. This include gambling, and drinkning.

5. make sure you like the face. Must be honest looking. Eyes must be alert. Eyebrow must be not too close (close eyebrow usually stingy), forehead must be high, but not too high (high is usually cleaver, but too high means too clever). Mouth must be not crooked (unless it is a illness or accident), crooked mouth people tend to have more negative thoughts. Make sure maid walk upright and have composure, if she walk like she have no backbone then dont hire. If maid drags foot when walking do not hire. Ok this are basic "Xiang Ren Zi Nen" The art of seeing a person by reading his face. This may sound like a joke but trust me thousand of years of chinese culture is no joke. But overall make sure you like the face, you would be starring that face for many year.s



Try to ask her some questions like



1. why do you want to become a maid?. Those that said money is a red sign, this means they are likely to move if they find a better job. Anyway this is a red flag no matter wat job u applied.

2. why do you want to work in singapore?. IF they said convience, or comfort then is red sign, a maid that want comfort and convience cannot take hardship

3. what are your plans in the future?. If they are some super plans, dont hire her.

4. what are your expectation of working as a maid?. This is most important, because most maid do not know wat to expect.

5. what if you cannot become a maid?

6. do you want to work for me and why? . If she said I want to work for you because you look like kind, then she is no no, because this mean she cannot take hardship. If she said she work for you because she just want a job. then no no. because this show she got no direction in life.

7. do you know how to take care of elderly?

8. do you know how to take care of young kids?

9. Do you know how to operate electronic house appliances? Ask her to walk you though at least 2.

10. Any experiecne as a maid?

11. Any special requirement that you like us to furfilled. You dont later hire a maid that have some requirements that you cannot furfill

12.



Yes treat you maid interview like a job interivew but please be sensible dont ask like do you have any leadership experience? or name me your greatest non academic achievements.

Answer 248

it's just misunderstanding between them,..but most singaporean have big expectation to their maid,.however maid 's just human being,..nobody perfect!!

Answer 249

because Singaporeans really are self-centered and they think the world is revolving around them, they discriminate everything especially if other people are from different race and they pride themselves of being a country with racial harmony, baloney!

Answer 250

Hire only Singaporeans and PR domestic workers much better.

Answer 251

First world country with primitive mentality

Answer 252

PLEASE LOOK AT THE MOTHER'S PLIGHT AND THE DADDY'S DILEMMA WHEN YOU SEE OR HEAR YOUR CHILD CRY THE FLESH & BLOOD OF THE PARENTS . WHY ALWAYS IT LOOKS LIKE THE SINGAPOREANS ARE ON THE UGLY SIDE OF THE SCREEN WHEN THIS MAIDS ARE ALSO THE CULPRITS THERE WILL BE NO SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE . SPEND MORE TIME AND DO A INVESTIGATION ON WHY IT HAPPEN NOT ON JUST MEDICAL REPORTS ON THE INJURY AND STRAIGHT TO COURT "MAID ABUSE" HOW MANY EMPLOYERS OF THIS MAID HAS BEEN ABUSED EVEN MURDERED WHY WHY WHY CAN SOMEONE SHED SOME LIGHT . KRK SAMY

Answer 253

Maid are here to do domestic work and b hard working to get paid. if we treated them too well, they wl treated that we are too easy and that they become to lazy. if they are good n hard working, definitely we wl treated them as a family.



so it all depend on the maid on how she work.

Answer 254

like any other job if ur abused --you can sue the employer ....teach the maid if there is abuse get evidence---its easy ...then sue them

Answer 255

1.) when there is only one child in the household , they may scream and yell for no reason but because they are the emperor/empress of the household. I have raised ten children eight of them not my own.

Answer 256

haiz... maybe too many around lioa.. see on the road sien. thas why they vent anger to the unfortunate maid.

Answer 257

The people who says NOTHING, or the people who somehow doesnt care on the issue are the people who does not CARE to other people, or let me just say they are the people who unconsciously/CONSCIOUSLY mistreat their domestic workers... SHAME ON YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!

Answer 258

There is already law in place to deal with anyone who causes bodily harm to others.

Answer 259

Simply fine the bosses with cane strokes...

Answer 260

STIFFER PENALTIES - CANING FOR MEN AND LONGER PRISON TERMS FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN ALSO BAN OFFENDERS FROM EVER GETTING DOMESTICS AGAIN



ALSO ANOTHER PENALTY WOULD BE TO DISPLAY OFFENDERS IN PUBLIC BY MAKING THEM DISPLAY ABUSE TAGS WITH CLOSE SUPERVISION

Answer 261

Truth or False?

Make up or exaggerated?

Scam for $$$$$?

Might be she really done something bad, think something to protect herself?

Answer 262

how will Singaporean gals perform as maids?:)

Answer 263

singaporeans have to learn how to live well as homo sepian ,before get maid...

Answer 264

i think all maids must learn martials arts to defend themself.

Answer 265

they must be treated like other worker.come from there own rent room outside of they work place.and with work time given.

Answer 266

I believe that education and upbringing play a big part in how Singaporeans treat their domestic help. I grew up with domestic help, and our family always treated them like they were a member of our family.



If the mindset of your family is that domestic help is like slave labour, or that they are just servants, lower than you, and that you as the master, have every right to scold and abuse them, then that is exactly what will happen at home.



However, if the mindset of your family is similar to mine, then domestic help is viewed as they are employees in our home, and just as your company employs you and you would like to be treated well and appreciate by your company, why can't you as a domestic employer, treat your maid in the same fashion?



Of course, in addition to just being a decent employer, our family goes one step beyond that. We see our maid as a human being, as a member of the human race, just as we are members of the human race. She feels the same things we feel, and we are all equal in God's eyes, no matter which God you believe in. We take care of her like she is family. In return, she also takes care of us as though we are family. As with all human relationships, sometimes there are disagreements, but we respect her and in return she also respects us. It is a two-way mutual relationship.



That being said, of course, if you feel that she is someone who really cannot get along with or work with your family, then as an employer, you can terminate her services and send her back home. There is no need to get violent with her or to abuse her, because what good does that do for your family or for her? If you vent your frustration and anger on her, she may not be happy with the way you treat her, and she may retaliate against your family, and a downward spiral may occur. What good does that do for anybody?



I think Singaporeans need to be aware of their duties and responsibilities in taking on domestic help. Your working and living relationship with your maid can be a very enjoyable, fruitful and rewarding one, both for your family and for her. If you are not prepared to be a good employer or even a good friend to your maid, then please don't become a domestic employer. If you say that you have no choice but to employ a maid, because you need someone to take care of things at home while you are working, then always keep in mind that you have a real need here, and you are the one needing her help, so treat her decently, and she will not only be of help to you, but may also enrich your lives.



I've heard stories from my own family members and from others who treat their maids decently, stories of maids who were allowed time off to go home and visit their families, returned to Singapore with gifts for their employers. One of my ex-maids cried so hard when my grandma passed away, because she had taken care of her as though she was her own mother. We have learned much about the cultures of Sri Lanka and the Philippines and Indonesia through our maids, it is really a very interesting and enlightening experience to learn about foreign cultures firsthand through them.



So when I hear stories of maid abuse, I really cannot understand or fathom why this is happening? Treat others the way you would like to be treated. Spare a thought for how others feel. Is it really so difficult to do that? Sure, not all maids are good maids, but a good employer can make a difference in this.



From day one, when we first meet our maid and bring her home, we start by telling her that she is a member of our family, and that we hope that she can also treat us like her family in Singapore. Take good care of us, and we will also take good care of her. We also make it clear to her that if things don't work out, she will be sent home.



Being a good domestic employer is a balance of being firm and being kind and communicating well with your maid, and always remember that she is also a human being like the rest of us. It's really not that hard, but Singaporeans need to be educated on this, the mindset of "master and servant" needs to be changed to one of "we are all family and we work as a team to live our lives well together."



Maybe we should have a "Treat your maid well" campaign... if necessary. But if you ask me, why wait for the government to make you do things that you should already be doing as a decent human being... the way you treat others is a reflection of yourself. If you can't treat your maid with a decent level of respect, then it actually speaks more about who you are as a person and as a human being, and you should be ashamed of yourself.

Answer 267

show them fair treatment and care = confirmed they will do the same and do some more..

they will treasure and serve you and your family well..





mistreat and abuse them = jail, fine and "at your own risk"..

P.S. fame (your name will broadcast online)..

Answer 268

better put CCTV camera on the house to prevent false accusation on both parties...

Answer 269

singaporean should treat their helper much better and respect them more,because even helper they"re human being want to live their life happily not to treat as slaves.

Answer 270

Give them siew mai after abusing them, and they will stfu.

Answer 271

do your own up bring n let c who will abuses whom when ur child is crying , gd luck n more incentives,

Answer 272

yahoo sg editor, stop looking for popularity. it isn't gonna help u. the details u provided is one sided.

Answer 273

Untuk memastikan para pembantu rumah (pr) mendapat layanan yang baik, pertama sekali pr itu sendiri mesti memberi layanan yang baik kepada majikannya. Kebanyakan pr ini datang ke Spura kerana "terdesak" kerana itu mereka menyanggupi apa sahaja yang dikehendaki semasa mereka ditemuduga oleh egensi yang menawarkan pekerjaan kepada mereka. Para majikan mempunyai harapan dan keyakinan tinggi apabila membaca keterangan diri pr semasa pemilihan dibuat di tempat agensi.



Setelah mereka diterima bekerja, kebanyakan pr ini akan bermati-matian bekerja pada bulan pertama. Kesanggupan bekerja ini merosot dari masa ke semasa dan banyak kelemahan ditunjukkan selepas itu.



Majikan juga manusia yang mempunyai masalah dan perasaan. Apabila ditambah dengan perangai yang buruk daripada pr, siapa yang dapat tahan lagi. Maka berlakukan perkara yang tidak diingini kedua-dua pihak (majikan dan pr).



Apa yang sepatutnya di buat;



1. Pastika semua pembantu rumah (pr) mendapat latihan yang cukup dan pasti mempunyai kebolehan hingga ke taraf yang dikehendaki.



2. Pembantu rumah masti menanda tangani satu perjanjian yang mereka akan melaksanakan tugas mereka sebagaimana yang mereka janjikan. Perjanjian ini disertai hukuman.



3. Para majikan mendapat penerangan yang jelas daripada pihak agensi berhubung dengan latar belakang dan kemampuan pr. Pihak agensi bertanggungjawab dalam soal ini.



4. Para majikan diberikan "percubaan" untuk menggajikan pr dalam tempoh dua atau tiga bulan pertama tanpa bayaran. Bayaran termasuk masa percubaan akan dikenakan jika majikan setuju menerima pr sebagai pembantunya.



5. Pihak agensi bertanggungjawab untuk mengadakan hubungan dengan pihak majikan dari masa ke semasa untuk mengetahui perkembangan dan masalah yang dihadapai tentang hubungan majikan dengan pr.



6. Bayaran gaji pembantu rumah mesti dinaikkan hingga ke taraf bersesuai dengan khidmat yang diberi.

Answer 274

well to be frank there's nothing can be done... as it's really depend on hw good tamper the employer is... :)

Answer 275

the only viable sentence is DEATH. all other sentences arent even scary enuf to deter offenders.

Answer 276

Simple...



Just do the same thing to the employers... :)

Answer 277

compulsory fine and caning upon conviction

Answer 278

it's the same answer to these questions ; what can be done to avoid stress, what can be done to educate people on how to treat others respectfully...

Answer 279

I tried to find my posting, but i cant locate it.

Answer 280

Contact www.maidabuser.com

You can be rewarded too.

Answer 281

CANE THEM AND INCREASE THE JAIL TERM.

Answer 282

have HUMANITY in you that can resolve matters.

Answer 283

Nothing.