SINGAPORE: A maid agency has been ordered by the magistrate to pay about S$1,558 to its helper’s former employer after falsely presenting her as Mandarin-speaking, even though she was later found to have little to no ability to communicate in the language.

According to a judgment published on June 9, the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT) found that the agency had engaged in an unfair practice by misrepresenting the helper’s language skills.

The dispute centred on an elderly woman who was bedridden due to a stroke and Parkinson’s disease. Her son had approached the agency in late 2024 specifically seeking a helper who could speak Mandarin and had experience caring for elderly people with disabilities, Channel NewsAsia (CNA) reported (June 10).

Those requirements were not a preference. They were essential as the elderly woman spoke mainly Mandarin and understood very little English, making communication a key part of her daily care.

The helper couldn’t communicate in Mandarin or even English

The maid agency recommended a helper from Myanmar to the family. Her biodata listed Mandarin as a spoken language skill. The agency also sent a video showing her speaking Mandarin and arranged a video interview with the woman’s son.

Based on the documents, video, and interview, the son believed the helper could communicate in Mandarin and therefore, hired her. However, after she started work in December 2024, he began to realise she struggled to understand and speak both Mandarin and English.

The problem became obvious almost immediately. The son informed the agency through WhatsApp but was told to give the helper time and use translation tools to bridge the communication gap.

For about a week, he relied on Google Translate while teaching the helper his mother’s care routine, but his mother couldn’t use a smartphone herself, making communication impossible whenever the son wasn’t present.

By January 2025, the son requested a replacement helper. However, none of the alternatives suggested by the agency met the family’s requirements.

The maid agency argues that Mandarin proficiency is a more expensive package

The agency later refunded part of the money paid but declined to provide a full reimbursement. The matter eventually reached the Small Claims Tribunal under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act.

During the hearing, the agency argued that it had only been asked to find a helper who could speak “simple” Mandarin and that the helper met that standard. It also argued that stronger Mandarin proficiency would have required a more expensive package and a higher-paid helper, such as those with experience working in Taiwan or Hong Kong.

Tribunal Magistrate Leon Abraham Tan rejected those arguments. He found no evidence that the family had requested only basic proficiency in Mandarin. Messages exchanged between the parties supported the son’s account that he had consistently asked for a helper who could communicate properly in Mandarin.

The magistrate also noted that the agency later suggested another helper who could “speak good Mandarin,” which further weakened its argument.

Mr Tan said the agency couldn’t rely on the claim that finding a Mandarin-speaking helper within the family’s budget was difficult. If the agency believed the request was unrealistic, it could have declined the job instead of accepting it and providing inaccurate information. The tribunal found the helper’s Mandarin ability was either extremely poor or effectively non-existent.

Maid agencies cannot market skills that helpers don’t possess

The case goes beyond a disagreement over language skills. Singapore’s ageing population has increased the demand for foreign domestic workers to care for elderly family members with medical conditions.

Communication isn’t a bonus feature for many such households. It is part of safe and effective caregiving. As such, the tribunal stressed that agencies have a responsibility to accurately describe a helper’s abilities so that families can make informed decisions.

A mismatch can create stress, extra costs and practical difficulties, especially when the person receiving care is elderly, disabled or unable to communicate in another language. Maid agencies cannot market skills that helpers don’t possess, whether the mistake is deliberate or accidental.

The agency representative wanted a video conference hearing from a Starbucks outlet

The judgment also took issue with the conduct of the agency’s representative during the proceedings. According to the tribunal, the representative attempted to attend part of the hearing by video conference from a Starbucks outlet at Changi Airport while accompanying a maid.

The magistrate said the location was unsuitable because hearings are private and shouldn’t be conducted in public spaces where others may overhear proceedings.

The representative later became frustrated when asked to move to a more appropriate location and unsuccessfully sought to have the magistrate removed from the case. He also wanted to file a complaint against the magistrate for being difficult on him.

Mr Tan eventually ordered the agency to pay an additional amount of about S$270 in costs and disbursements, citing the representative’s conduct and applications that unnecessarily prolonged the proceedings. He also emphasised that video-conference attendance is a convenience granted by the tribunal and shouldn’t be treated as an automatic right.

Lack of communication and honesty can affect everything

Families hiring caregivers focus on their work experience, salary and availability. This case shows why verifying language ability can be just as important.

Communication can affect everything from medication and meals to safety and dignity for households caring for elderly relatives.

Again, maid agencies should be careful not to oversell a helper’s abilities. When expectations and reality don’t match, everyone ends up paying the price.

This article (Maid agency falsely claims that its helper could speak Mandarin; magistrate orders them to pay S$1,558 to family) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A domestic helper shared on social media that, in her 11 years working in Singapore, this is the first time she has encountered an employer who “makes her cry” and feels as though “she is not good enough” for the role.

In a post on the SINGAPORE TRANSFER (No Fees/SD), DIRECT HIRE & NEW HELPER Facebook group, the helper said that no matter how hard she tries to follow instructions and do her work properly, she often finds herself being criticised.

She also claimed that her employer’s instructions sometimes seem to change from one day to the next, leaving her confused about what is actually expected of her.

For example, she recalled: “My madam said I could put/load in a dishwasher to save soap and water, but one day I put it in the dishwasher, and she said I could hand wash. The plates I had already washed and left to dry, she then put back in the dishwasher with a rather cross look, even though they were already clean.”

The helper added that she had even asked her employer whether she had done something wrong or if her work was not up to standard, only to be reassured that everything was fine.

“Your work is all great,” her employer allegedly told her.

She further shared that before taking the job, she had been warned that the household’s “madam” was known to have a short temper. Despite this, she decided to accept the position because she believed that everyone has both good and bad sides.

“I accepted it because I know there is a good and bad side in every one of us,” she said. “I know being a domestic helper is very tough work and needs stretchable patience, …but I always think about the positive side.”

“I’ve been with my new employer for 4 months. I want to stay here because I want to help my madam to be okay. I want to understand why she’s like that, but it drains my positive vibes and energy. Any advice if I should transfer or still stay here? I don’t want to judge my madam because we are all human. Nobody is perfect.”

“Sit and talk—lay your issues.”

Many commenters sympathised with her situation and encouraged her to put her mental and emotional well-being first.

One commenter wrote, “Sister, if it drains you, if it affects your mental health, no need to stay…you deserve better…who will treat you better.”

Another advised, “If you are not happy in your job, why stay? It may be better to transfer and find your peace.”

A third added, “Leave it as we are here just to work and earn money; regardless of her condition, it’s none of your responsibility!! We are just helpers and workers, not PhDs.”

A few others, however, felt that the helper should give herself more time to adjust to the household and try resolving the issue through communication before making a decision.

One commenter suggested, “Sit and talk—lay your issues. After talking, if there are no changes, ask for a transfer.”

Another said, “To helpers here, constantly changing environments in search of ‘peace’ or a better employer without addressing the underlying issues is often unhelpful, as the same challenges may arise again elsewhere. It’s all about your attitude and a willing heart!”

In other news, a Singaporean woman has sparked a lively discussion online after sharing that men have become a little too comfortable doing the bare minimum when it comes to dating.

Posting on the r/SingaporeRaw forum, she said that many of the men she has gone on dates with appear more than happy to leave all the planning and decision-making to her.

Read more: ‘Why am I doing all the work?’: Singapore woman says too many men put minimal effort into dating

This article (Maid with 11 years of experience says new employer ‘makes her cry and think she’s not good enough to be their helper’) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: An employer sparked backlash online after complaining that her domestic helper is dating someone in Singapore.

Posting anonymously in the SINGAPORE TRANSFER (No Fees/SD), DIRECT HIRE & NEW HELPER Facebook group on Monday (June 8), the employer said that she found out about the relationship after her helper took a day off.

“I found out that she has a boyfriend….I have advised and warned her many times not to have a boyfriend,” the employer wrote.

She added that when she confronted the helper about the matter, the helper allegedly denied being in a relationship.

“Imagine if your own boss at work says this to you.”

Instead of getting sympathy, many netizens questioned why the employer was sticking her nose into something that simply was not her business.

Several commenters argued that having a boyfriend has little to do with a helper’s ability to do her job.

One user told her, “Having a boyfriend is part of her personal life and doesn’t determine whether she’s a good helper or not.”

Another commented, “Imagine if your own boss at work says this to you. I wonder if you realise what human rights you are infringing upon. They are allowed to have boyfriends.”

A third added, “As long as she is doing her work properly, I wouldn’t be bothered. As long as she doesn’t get me into trouble with the law, I will be fine. Also, having a boyfriend is personal, and they are adults.”

A few others, however, thought that the employer’s concerns were valid.

Some pointed out that relationships can sometimes create complications, especially if they lead to legal issues, disputes, or unexpected pregnancies.

One user wrote, “It’s really up to you. If you are not comfortable, just send her back. No one is going to help you pay the hospital if she ends up getting pregnant and going through complications. Insurance won’t cover it.” 

They added, “She can promise you the sun and the moon on this, but no one can guarantee it. Don’t listen to other people; listen to your gut feelings. She clearly lied to you; think about what other things she can lie to you about.”

Another shared a personal experience, saying, “My helper got a Bangladeshi boyfriend. I was okay [with it], but her relationship ended up with a police report. She said the man harassed her, [then there were incidents] of sneaking out at 1 am. This is a big no…. So off she goes.”

A third said, “If they quarrel, then she becomes moody and not focused on her duties. Please approach her again and remind her this isn’t allowed. If you see that boyfriend around your neighbourhood, send her back.”

One commenter said, “If they quarrel, then she becomes moody and not focused on her duties. Please approach her again and remind her this isn’t allowed. If you see that boyfriend around your neighbourhood, send her back.”

Following the backlash, the employer updated her post with a message aimed at her critics.

“For those unhealthy comments, you won’t hurt me. And I know where you came from. That is why I don’t allow my helper to use a mobile during working hours. This must be indicated in the employer’s house rule.”

She went on to thank commenters who had shared helpful suggestions.

“For those who contributed ideas, I would like to say thank you. I can see there are still good helpers here. Hope you enjoy working here. Save more money and take care of your health. We appreciate your hard work! My house rules include safety first, good health, and good sleep. She slept more than 8-10 hours; she also gained 4 kg of weight.”/TISG

Read also: Fresh graduate faces backlash for calling a S$4k salary offer ‘low’: ‘Fresh grads are demanding the sky and expect everyone to bow down’

This article (‘Having a boyfriend is personal’: Employer faces criticism over maid’s relationship) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.