SINGAPORE: A domestic helper has turned to social media for advice after alleging that her employer makes her clean three different properties every month, including a house in Malaysia that she is reportedly sent to twice a month.

In an anonymous post shared in the Facebook group SINGAPORE TRANSFER (No Fees/SD), DIRECT HIRE & NEW HELPER on Monday (May 25), the helper said she has been struggling to cope with the exhausting workload and constant travelling.

According to her, she spends long hours cleaning her employer’s home in Singapore, is also tasked with cleaning their office, and has to travel to Malaysia twice a month to clean another property there.

“I’m already exhausted here because I work in the house until late at night,” she wrote. “Then I also have to go to the office to clean there. I clean three places in one month.”

The helper also claimed that she “can’t complain” to the agency because they are allegedly friends with her employer. 

She said that when she previously tried to complain, the agency allegedly cursed at her and said hurtful things instead of helping her resolve the issue.

Desperate to find a way out, she asked other members of the community, “Will another employer still accept me if I leave this job? I’ve only been here for one year. Thank you for your answers. I hope someone can help me find a good employer.”

“That’s strictly not allowed.”

Many commenters expressed alarm over the claims, with several fellow domestic helpers pointing out that workers are generally not allowed to clean other houses or workplaces outside the residential address stated on their work permit.

One commenter advised the helper to gather evidence. They said, “Write down all the dates when you went to Malaysia to clean. Screenshot all the cursed and hurtful words that the agency told you. Take videos and photos as proof that you cleaned there, so that you know all the details. So that when you report this to MOM, you know what to answer.”

Another commented, “Report such employer! Must! Not! Clean! Another! House!”

A third wrote, “That’s strictly not allowed. Take pictures as evidence, especially of their house in Malaysia and their office.”

A fourth added, “Oh my goodness, that is absolutely not allowed. Whatever is written in the contract is what should be followed.”

As per the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), migrant domestic workers are only allowed to work for their employer at the residential address declared to the ministry.

MOM states that employers who illegally deploy helpers to work at another residential address or carry out non-domestic duties may face serious penalties. Those found in breach of the rules can be fined up to S$10,000 and may also be barred from hiring domestic helpers in future.

Read also: ‘I saved 11 months of salary’: Singaporean workers share how they are bracing for sudden layoffs

This article (Domestic helper alleges she’s sent to Malaysia twice a month to clean employer’s house) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A domestic helper’s handwritten request to her employer for an advance salary payment so she could attend an upcoming BTS concert in Singapore has triggered an outpouring of reactions online, with many netizens touched by both the sincerity of the request and the employer’s response.

Employer Yvonne LaReina Lee shared on Facebook a photo of a letter written by her helper, Nant Lah Sann Hie, who politely asked if she could receive two months’ salary in advance to buy VIP concert tickets.

In the handwritten note, Sann Hie wrote: “Mam…I would like to ask you something, and I hope you won’t misunderstand me for asking this.

“There is a BTS concert right mam that I truly wish to attend, so I wanted to respectfully ask if it might be possible to receive an advance of two about months of [my] salary. Can or can’t also I ok mam

“…I completely understand if it is not possible, but I would sincerely appreciate your consideration. Please only help me if it is comfortable and convenient for you. If it’s not possible, that’s completely ok too mam. Thank you so much for your understanding mam.”

Sharing the letter online, Yvonne said her helper was “dead serious” about wanting to attend the concert. “How can I not help her….I want to make her dream come true,” she wrote.

The post quickly drew attention online, with many praising the helper for asking respectfully and commending Yvonne for considering the request.

One commenter wrote: “I’m getting the ticket for my helper as well to surprise her as advance gift.”

Another shared a similar experience, saying: “Do it! I fulfilled my helper’s dreams of going to Disneyland last year and she cried … it was a beautiful sight watching her enjoy Disneyland. They are humble hardworking people.. happy to bless them. God bless you too! Love your kind soul.”

Several others encouraged Yvonne to simply buy the ticket for Sann Hie instead of treating it as a salary advance.

“I would suggest you get the ticket for her and just take it has a mini bonus,” one person commented.

Another said: “Don’t missed it mdam..please buy ticket for ur helper maybe this is only her chance to see and attend this BTS big event in Singapore..”

Others highlighted the helper’s honesty and willingness to seek permission first.

“That very kind of her by asking for your approval,” one commenter wrote.

Another added: “I am happy to hear this..you really good employer, good mam. I wish she can get what she wanted….”

Some commenters also saw the exchange as a reflection of a healthy employer-helper relationship.

“Those who can help on others to level up is never lack ! U are blessed exceedingly,” one netizen wrote.

Another commented: “Why not as long as she is not earning money in another illegal ways.”

Not everyone agreed with the request, however. One commenter remarked: “She doesn’t need BTS, she needs financial wisdom instead.”

Another netizen raised concerns that the helper might abscond after receiving the money. “I hope she’s real for the ticket not for running away from u. Anyway decision is always yours, and if you’re instinct say no, better not..” the commenter wrote.

Yvonne responded by defending her helper and expressing confidence in her character, saying, “Thank you, sister, but I don’t think she will run away with just $1200. This house is too warm and nice for her to throw away everything for just 1.2k.”

Sann Hie herself also responded to the accusation, writing: “Sorry, I don’t have that kind of dirty mindset”.

In a later update, Yvonne revealed that she had decided to give her helper the money for the ticket. She also shared a video showing Sann Hie in tears, hugging her employer in surprise and gratitude while laughing and crying at the same time.

This article (Helper asks employer for two months’ pay in advance so she can get BTS concert tickets) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A woman has gone online to share how upset she feels over the possibility that her family’s domestic helper could end up living in a tiny utility room when they relocate to a new house.

Sharing her concerns online, she explained that the helper currently has a pretty decent setup. Since the woman’s sister already moved out, the helper has been staying alone in a proper room with her own attached toilet.

But that arrangement may soon disappear.

“My parents are relocating to a new house that only has 3 bedrooms—for my parents, me, and my brother—and I believe they’re going to put her into the bomb shelter,” she wrote on Reddit’s r/asksg forum on Wednesday (May 27).

In an edit to her post, the woman clarified that the space is actually a small utility room, not a bomb shelter, which can only fit a “small bed, but no wardrobe, etc.”

“I feel quite stressed about this. How is she going to keep her stuff? My mom and [the helper] don’t have a good relationship, but I feel like she’s nice, and I wouldn’t say I’m very close to her as she just came recently (end of last year), but she’s still very nice.”

She added that the thought of the arrangement made her feel “really bad” for the helper, especially since it would be a major downgrade from her current living conditions.

“I will talk to my parents about this shortly, but is there anything they can even do now that they have signed the papers to buy the new house?” she wrote, hoping to hear some advice.

“Perhaps you can offer to share your room with her?”

In the comments section, many Singaporean Redditors sympathised with the woman’s concerns and offered practical suggestions on how the family could make the small utility room more comfortable and livable for the helper.

One Redditor said, “It’s a tough conversation to have, for sure. As a student, you may not be able to make a decision for your parents, but you can help them find an innovative solution for your helper.”

“Sometimes with clever carpentry, there can be a way for the helper to have her bed and storage in the utility room, but really without windows or air conditioning, it can be very stifling, so ventilation is important. There should be a built-in fan at least.”

Another offered a simple solution, saying, “Perhaps you can offer to share your room with her? This is a solution that is within your control.”

Meanwhile, a third user advised the woman to speak directly with the helper first rather than assume what she may or may not be comfortable with.

“Speak to her about what she needs? ” they wrote. “If she needs privacy, then the utility room may be the only available choice. Give her a space outside to store things, and get her a wall fan and a portable air conditioner to keep herself comfy. Maybe you can install a curtain and keep doors open, so it is not suffocating.”

A fourth added, “Allow her to put a wardrobe/cupboard in your room for her belongings so the utility room is only for the bed. Put in a wall fan for better ventilation and make sure she has power outlets for charging her electronics.”

According to the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) guidelines, employers are strongly encouraged to provide domestic helpers with a separate room. 

If this is not feasible due to space constraints or housing arrangements, employers must still ensure that the helper’s accommodation provides sufficient space, privacy, proper ventilation, and protection from environmental elements such as heat, rain, and strong winds. 

Read also: ‘I don’t want to partake in the system’ — Singaporean woman conflicted about hiring helper to raise future kids

This article (‘I feel quite stressed’: Singapore woman worried helper may have to sleep in cramped utility room) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: An employer has shared her frustration and disappointment after her helper, who had only been working for the family for a month, allegedly took out a loan despite being told not to. 

Posting anonymously in the SINGAPORE TRANSFER (No Fees/SD), DIRECT HIRE & NEW HELPER Facebook group, the employer said she had made her expectations clear from the very beginning. According to her, she repeatedly reminded the helper not to disclose information about the family or their home to outsiders and strictly told her never to borrow money.

She claimed she had also assured the helper that if she was facing financial difficulties, she could approach her directly for help instead of turning to lenders.

Despite those warnings, the employer alleged that on April 23, the helper borrowed from a moneylender she found through TikTok.

“She borrowed S$200 from a licensed moneylender on TikTok, and by the 26th, she was already expected to repay S$300. This is especially concerning as her salary is only paid on the 29th, and she still has an outstanding loan with the agency.”

The employer also claimed she later discovered that the helper had been sharing private details about the household with family members back home.

“Our household is usually empty during the day as both my husband and I work, and the children are out. I even chose to work from the office most of the time to give her space to adjust to our routine,” she wrote.

“However, I later found out that she has been sharing daily details about our home with her husband, including photos of my children, and speaking negatively about me.”

The employer said she felt particularly hurt because she believed she had treated the helper well and tried to make her feel welcome.

“I treated her with kindness, bringing her out and buying her clothes and shoes, hoping she would feel comfortable and motivated. Instead, my family’s privacy has been violated, and now we are dealing with potential issues from moneylenders,” she said.

She added that the helper had fabricated stories to her husband, including falsely saying that she had been hospitalised.

“I am honestly confused as to why she would do this,” the employer said. “I feel deeply disappointed and disrespected. Trust and privacy are very important in a home. I hope helpers understand that they are here to work, and while being treated like family is a bonus, it should not be taken for granted or abused. As an employer, I feel at the losing end.”

“Terminate ASAP.”

In the comments section, some Singaporeans urged the employer not to pay off the helper’s debts.

One commenter wrote, “DO NOT, under any circumstances, pay her debts. You will receive harassment from the money sharks. Do not answer. You must file police reports. If you just return her to the agent, they will send her to another employer, and the cycle repeats. This helper must be blacklisted for life.”

Another commented, “You treated the helper too nice TOO EARLY. – You should have observed her first before being nice to her. Since it involves a loan shark, I suggest calling MOM and possibly sending her back to her country.”

Meanwhile, several others questioned how the employer found out about both the loan and the alleged sharing of household information.

Responding to the queries, the employer explained, “It started while I was doing PayNow for her at the bank. I saw money being transferred to her. I got concerned as I had given her in hand (not her pay but out of goodwill) S$100, so to see S$220 when her pay was due on the 29th (today; this happened yesterday), I questioned her about the source of this money. And I gave the phone to the agent to check where this money came from, as I sensed something was off.”

“Only through checking her phone did we find the messages from the loan sharks and threats — everything. While the agent was checking, we saw the texts. Anyway, the helper gave me 6 different stories before we caught the loan shark calling her via WhatsApp, and the threats haven’t stopped since last night.”

One user said, “Because of this type of helper, it makes the others rotten. Report to Agent MOM about her immediately before the loan shark comes to your home with interest. She needs to be under the MOM case.”

Another added, “This is just the beginning; it starts here, and then it escalates to bigger issues. Terminate ASAP.”

Employers are not responsible for their helpers’ debts

According to the Ministry of Manpower, domestic helpers are not allowed to borrow money from unlicensed moneylenders. Helpers caught doing so may be permanently barred from working in Singapore again.

The ministry also states that employers are not responsible for their helper’s debts. Those facing harassment or threats from licensed or unlicensed moneylenders are advised to contact the police immediately by calling 999 or the X-Ah Long hotline at 1800-924-5664.

Read also: Singaporeans weigh in on hawker centre first dates: ‘Sweating like mad’ isn’t romantic

This article (‘I treated her with kindness’: Employer shocked after maid allegedly went behind her back to borrow money) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.