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 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.

SINGAPORE: A domestic helper has sparked a wave of reactions online after sharing a screenshot of a text conversation in which her employer called her “stupid” over a mix-up involving swimming gear.

The helper posted the exchange on Monday (Jun 1) in the Facebook group SINGAPORE TRANSFER (No Fees/SD), DIRECT HIRE & NEW HELPER, where it quickly attracted attention from both fellow helpers and employers.

In her post, the helper explained that she had worked in Singapore for 10 years and had always tried to remain patient despite challenges on the job. However, she said she felt she could no longer continue working under her current employer.

“I [have worked] for 10 years. I have more patience because I want to work in Singapore. Now I cannot stay longer anymore. She had eight maids before me. No one stayed. I hope one day I can find a good employer. I am only waiting to finish my contract,” she wrote.

According to the screenshot, the disagreement began when the employer could not find a new swimming cap and goggles that she had previously asked the helper to place in a swimming bag.

Employer:  “I asked you to put new swimming cap and goggles in my bag for today? Where r they??”

Helper:  “Is here i don’t know u need today mam”

Employer: “I told you to put into swimming bag both goggles and swimming cap. Today you pack my swimming things with old goggles and swimming cap! You r so STUPID !!”

Photo from SINGAPORE TRANSFER (No Fees/SD), DIRECT HIRE & NEW HELPER

“Employers must learn to grow up and talk clearly”

The post has since drawn more than 243 comments and 182 likes, with many readers expressing sympathy for the helper and criticising the employer’s choice of words.

One fellow helper shared that in her 21 years of working for the same family, she had never been spoken to in such a manner. 

“In my 21 years with them, I have never been spoken to like that. Even Sir — if I did something he didn’t like, he would call me to sit down, and we would talk, but he spoke to me calmly and very softly.”

Another commenter, who identified herself as an employer, said, “It is very rude of an employer to speak that way. I am an employer myself—I don’t expect my helper to pack my things. Even my kids should pack their own things.”

Others questioned why the employer had not checked the swimming bag herself if the items were so important.

“Employers must learn to grow up and talk clearly,” one netizen wrote. “Unlike your daddy and mummy, your maid didn’t see you grow up and cannot read your mind. If your swimming is so important to you, why didn’t you check?”

Not everyone sided with the helper, however. One user said, “This is so one-sided. If your employer can be so angry, I bet this is not the first time you have made such a mistake. So please reflect on yourself.”

Another added, “Honestly, I get why the employer is angry. Because sometimes we need to repeat so many times, and also when helpers don’t understand, they just say, ‘Yes, madam,’ and then end up doing it wrongly or doing another method. It’s very frustrating because we hire a helper to lessen our load, be it physical or mental, but end up, we employers are actually more exhausted at the end.”/TISG

Read also: ‘There’s 0 flexibility’: Singapore worker opens up about burnout and workplace stress

This article (‘You are so stupid!’: Maid shares text exchange with employer that left netizens shocked) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A domestic helper has claimed that her employer refused to let her rest despite running a fever, with the employer allegedly reminding her, “We pay you money… a lot.”

In an anonymous post shared in the ‘SINGAPORE TRANSFER (No Fees/SD), DIRECT HIRE & NEW HELPER’ Facebook group, the helper explained that after finishing her daily household chores, she is usually still expected to spend the evening entertaining and playing with her employer’s child unless the child happens to fall asleep early.

However, after recently coming down with a fever, she decided to politely ask if she could turn in earlier for the night.

“I told my ma’am, ‘Can I get rest early today, after I finish my work, because I got fever,’” she wrote.

However, the request did not go down well.

Rather than telling her to rest, drink water, or take some medicine, the employer allegedly rejected the request outright and launched into a lecture about salary.

“She refused me and said a lot of things like, ‘We pay you money… a lot,’” the helper claimed.

Confused and upset, she turned to the online community to ask whether it was unreasonable to request a little rest while sick.

“When you’re sick, is it ok to ask for rest early after finishing all the work at night? How did your employer respond to you in case you’re in this situation?” 

“Nothing is more important than your health.”

The post quickly sparked reactions from the online community.

One netizen bluntly wrote, “Don’t believe you. If you are sick, your boss would not want you to play with her kids. Unless she wants her kids to be sick too. Nonsense!”

The helper, however, stood by her story and suggested that her employer was more concerned about getting every last cent’s worth of labour out of the day.

“That’s my main reason. You don’t understand; she just doesn’t want to waste her money. She pays me; that’s why she didn’t want me to rest,” she replied.

She then added, “Besides, you’re right. I guess my boss didn’t recognise that a fever can [easily affect] others.”

Another helper chimed in to say the situation sounded painfully familiar.

“I’m also sick. I asked my boss if I could rest early while they went out for dinner today, but she said, ‘Iron clothes while you rest.’ I’m so sad.”

Meanwhile, one employer shared they would never expect a sick helper to continue working, especially around young children.

“Usually when my helper is unwell, I would give her off day so she can rest the whole day, and I will personally take leave to step in handling the house, cooking, and my toddler.”

Others encouraged the helper to seek help or report the matter if necessary.

One commenter wrote, “Report to MOM. Working while you are sick is strictly not allowed.”

Another added, “Call your agency. Don’t do housework if you are not feeling well, don’t care! [Nothing is] more important than your health.”

As stated by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), employers are responsible for safeguarding the health and well-being of their migrant domestic workers (MDWs).

They are required to provide rest days, medical care, and other essential support. 

Read also: ‘Is this normal and okay?’: New maid shocked to find extra family members living in employer’s home

This article (‘We pay you a lot’: Maid says employer refused to let her rest despite having a fever) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: On Friday (May 29), an employer claimed on social media that hiring domestic helpers has become increasingly difficult and frustrating, as many candidates “overpromise” and “exaggerate” their skills and experience during the recruitment process, only for employers to later discover that they are unable to perform even simple household tasks.

Sharing her experience in the SGWhispers Facebook group, the employer said she had come across helpers whose resumes and interviews made them seem highly experienced, but the reality turned out to be very different.

She claimed that some helpers say they can cook but end up struggling with simple dishes because they are afraid of “oil splattering.”

Others reportedly state that they have experience caring for babies or young children, only for employers to later realise that they lack even basic childcare skills.

“It’s frustrating, and frankly, it feels misleading,” she wrote. “The biodata can be polished to look impressive, interviews feel rehearsed, and half the time you don’t know what’s real and what’s not.”

She also questioned who should be held accountable when things do not work out. 

According to her, employers pay significant sums in agency fees and other hiring costs, yet agencies often respond by saying they cannot guarantee a helper’s quality, performance, or level of training.

On top of that, she expressed frustration that some helpers who allegedly exaggerate their qualifications are still very particular about working conditions and benefits.

“These helpers demand their rights to use their phones all day and access to WiFi, insist on only working in small households of 2-3 people, want their own room, want weekly days off plus PH days off, and cannot take it when corrected for something like forgetting to turn off the stove… it’s too much.”

The employer further claimed that some would threaten to return to their agency or ask to be sent home whenever disagreements arise.

She added, “It is already stressful working full time, managing a household, being a caregiver, raising a child/children and then facing uncertainty with helpers who run away, threaten to go back agent or be sent home. This is a real concern, and not talked about enough. If you’ve gone through this, you’ll understand how draining it is.”

“At the end of the day, it’s just pure luck that leads you to a good helper.”

In the comments, one netizen encouraged employers to leave feedback on the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) website for any helper who has previously worked for them. They suggested including contact details so that future employers can reach out for reference checks.

“Give feedback that is positive and negative; providing a testimonial can help new employers make more informed decisions,” they added. “This could go a long way in reducing the number of problematic helpers in Singapore, especially since the system is not doing enough to protect us.”

Others, however, felt that while feedback systems and reference checks might help a bit, they would not completely remove the uncertainty of hiring.

One said, “At the end of the day, it’s just pure luck that leads you to a good helper. We’ve had a few terrible ones, and yet we’ve also had truly wonderful ones—so, in essence, it’s really up to their motivation to be good human beings and, more importantly, their value system (which boils down to luck for us because no biodatas can capture this).”

Another chimed in, “It’s luck. Some came here with the wrong expectation that SG is rich, and so if they stay in a house, they should feel rich.”/TISG

Read also: SG student feels deflated after father questions decision to study at NUS instead of Oxbridge

This article (‘At the end of the day, it’s pure luck’: Employer opens up about the challenges of hiring helpers) 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.