SINGAPORE: A domestic helper took to social media to air her grievances over a new employer, claiming she was made to sleep on a yoga mat, not paid for several days of work, and later blocked when she tried to follow up.

According to the helper, she had been working in Singapore since 2008 and had just completed her contract with a previous Indian employer, whom she said was “very kind and good.”

After her employer relocated overseas, she began searching for a new job and was referred to a direct employer by a friend.

The new employer, a British-Indian family who had recently moved to Singapore, asked her to start work on April 5, even though her previous employer had only officially released her on March 31.

She claimed that from her first day, she already felt “uncomfortable but chose to continue working.” She alleged that she was given a very small room and had to sleep on a yoga mat.

“I was okay with that because they are new in Singapore,” she said, adding that she tried to be understanding despite the conditions. 

However, problems soon surfaced regarding her work permit. “I was working for them for a few days [when] my previous employer texted me why my work permit was still under her name.”

When she raised this with her new employer, she was told that the paperwork would be processed. But after checking later on her own, she found that nothing had been done. 

The helper noted that under Singapore regulations, domestic workers are not allowed to start work with a new employer until their work permit transfer is officially approved.

Concerned about the situation, she decided to leave after working for four days.

She further alleged that the employer did not pay her for the four days she had worked and subsequently blocked her from contacting them.

The helper said she has since found a new employer but expressed frustration over the incident, adding that she hopes action will be taken against such practices.

“Wish God would punish that employer in Upper Thomson. The British-Indian family just moved to Singapore from the Philippines. I feel very bad about them, such a very not good heart.”

“Fight for your right.”

In the comments section, many netizens urged her to report the matter to the Ministry of Manpower.

One commenter, identifying as an employer, said, “I support you reporting them to MOM ASAP. They have money to stay in Upper Thomson but no money to pay a helper?” 

Another encouraged her to stand up for her rights, stating, “You can report them to MOM. Fight for your right. Or else that kind of employer will abuse more helpers more. Don’t be afraid.”

A third added, “If you have worked for them, they should pay you for the working days. For sleeping arrangements, we should be thankful that we have even had a private, small room unless the employer is very rich to stay in a big house, as Singapore houses are small and expensive,” a third added.

Direct transfers

According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), new employers must coordinate with the current employer to arrange the direct transfer of a helper.

They need to confirm that the helper has completed her required six-month medical examination and that her work permit remains valid for more than 30 days.

They must also submit a request for the current employer’s consent for the transfer via MOM’s FDW eService, apply for the helper’s work permit, complete the steps indicated in the in-principle approval (IPA), purchase a security bond, medical insurance, and personal accident insurance, and ensure that they sign the declaration form together with the helper.

Finally, on the agreed transfer date, new employers must have the new work permit issued, upload the signed declaration form via the eService, and print the temporary work permit.

They must then hand over the temporary work permit to the helper so she can start working.

Read also: Maid allegedly survives on limited meals while working from 5 am to 9:30 pm daily

This article (Maid says she was made to sleep on yoga mat, unpaid for 4 days, then blocked by employer) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: A domestic helper’s situation has sparked concern online after claims surfaced that she has been getting by on very limited food despite putting in long, exhausting workdays.

On Wednesday (April 22), her friend shared the case in the SINGAPORE TRANSFER (No Fees/SD), DIRECT HIRE & NEW HELPER Facebook group, posting photos of the meals, which consisted largely of plain white rice with only very small portions of side dishes.

In the caption, the friend wrote, “She works from 5:00 a.m to 9:30 p.m daily. For lunch and dinner, the employer only provides the food in the photos. The employer says, ‘If not enough, use your own money to go buy yourself!’

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

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

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

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

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

The friend also claimed that her employer has been making her pay for basic daily necessities such as toilet paper, soap, and shampoo.

“I thought the employer was supposed to provide these basic things? She already signed the contract on the first day she arrived because they forced her to, so now no choice lor.”

According to the post, the helper has been in Singapore for about three months and is currently under a six-month loan deduction arrangement. She had reportedly asked about transferring to another employer after completing the loan, but was told “don’t know/cannot,” with no further discussion.

“The employer refused to talk about it. She is very stressed and scared,” the friend added. “The agent directly gave her passport to the employer, and the employer is keeping it now. The helper doesn’t have her own passport. Is this even legal?”

“The least they can do is give proper food.”

In the comments, a netizen said, “Please know your right. Employers’ responsibility to provide enough food, as well as toiletries. Those good employers provide more than that.

To employers out there: Don’t hire a helper if you can’t afford to feed them. Do your own thing.”

Another wrote, “The employer is supposed to provide the helper with food and toiletries. Also, it is illegal for employers to keep the helper’s work permit or passport, so the only remedy is for the helper to report to MOM because some agencies take the side of the employer.

A third added, “Being a helper is a physically taxing job. The least they can do is give proper food.”

Several others, however, gave the employer the benefit of the doubt, with one netizen saying, “There are always two sides to every story. Is the employer eating the same food as you? If yes, it may be difficult to argue unfair treatment if everyone is eating the same meals shown in the pictures. It’s understandable why they may say additional food should be purchased separately if there is more or another type of food.”

Another commented, “How do we know the pics are actual photos of what the helper eats? We don’t know, right? From the plate and food, [it is clear] this is from an Indian household. (No offence, just an observation). From what I know and have seen at my many Indian friends’ homes, their helpers are given food but choose not to eat this and not to eat that.”

According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), employers are required to provide their domestic helpers with three meals a day. This can include something like four slices of bread with spread for breakfast, and for lunch and dinner, a meal with one bowl of rice, about three-quarters cup of vegetables, a palm-sized portion of meat, and fruit.

Employers are also required to provide basic necessities, including a mattress, pillow, blanket, bathroom amenities, and toiletries such as soap, shampoo, toothbrush, and toothpaste.

In addition, employers are not allowed to keep their helpers’ passports, and any violations should be reported to MOM.

Read also: After 24 years, domestic helper becomes ‘second mother’ to Singapore family

This article (Maid allegedly survives on limited meals while working from 5 am to 9:30 pm daily) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.

SINGAPORE: Domestic helpers are typically hired to handle everyday household chores, but in some homes, the bond between employer and helper grows so strong that they are no longer seen as staff, but as part of the family.

Recently, a Singaporean woman shared on Reddit that her family has become deeply attached to their domestic helper, whom she lovingly calls her “Aunty” and even her “second mother.”

“My aunty has been with my family for 24 years, and we genuinely treat her like family. She eats with us at meal times, she sleeps in air conditioning, and she uses the same bathroom. I share products with her and buy things for her often.”

“We don’t ever ask her to pay us back, and everything is always on us, including phone bills, medication, and even allowance money on top of her salary. I often bring her out for meals, especially when my parents are travelling, which is often. She is like a second mother to me.”

When her aunty asked “if she would be sent home” after learning that the family would be moving overseas and that the family’s dogs had passed away, the woman said her family reassured her that she would always have a place with them for as long as she wanted.

The woman explained that because her aunty had sacrificed so much of her life, including time away from her own family, to care for theirs, her family now sees her as one of their own. Although her aunty keeps in touch with her family back home, she shared that “Singapore feels more like home to her now than the Philippines.” She even expressed that she hopes to help raise the woman’s future children.

“My brother and I are very close to her. We hug her, and she is like blood family. Sometimes people ask how we are related, and she will joke that she’s my sister. Honestly, I love my aunty so much; she has seen me through everything. I would even name my daughter after her if I had one.”

Looking ahead, the family is planning to bring the aunty along on trips abroad. They hope to take her to Japan this year and to Europe next year after her brother graduates.

“This year we want to bring her on travels to Japan like we did when we kids were younger, but this time for her to enjoy because she deserves it. She has always been so loyal and never took anything; she gave way more than we could want, and she is a wonderful person. I plan to support her like she is family for as long as she lives, because she truly is family.”

Read also: ‘Is this allowed?’: Unpaid intern says role meant for learning turned into manual labour

This article (After 24 years, domestic helper becomes ‘second mother’ to Singapore family) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.