A 24-year-old domestic worker in Singapore who allegedly complained to her employment agency about her living conditions was dismissed by her employer. She may now be sent back home.
The maid, referred to as Sandra and whose nationality is not known, told Shin Min Daily News that she was hired by the family in May last year. Her duties included looking after the couple’s young child and doing domestic chores.
The maid said her employers generally treated her well, giving her enough food and rest time. However there was one downside: she had to sleep on a mattress on the kitchen floor.
Hoping to improve her working conditions, she reported the matter to her employment agency, who then made contact with her employers.
The employers, allegedly infuriated by the report to the agency, decided to fire the worker. The agency informed the maid of her dismissal, leaving her unemployed and facing being sent home.
President of the Association of Employment Agencies (Singapore) Jayaprema noted that workers should communicate first with their employers before seeking help from their employment agency.
Jayaprema went on to say that employment agencies should investigate potential misunderstandings between employers and their employees. On-site visits should be conducted and any violations found should be reported to the Ministry of Manpower. In the event of employers deciding to terminate a contract early, they should give their worker advance notification of dismissal.
Yes very unfair, singapore law sometimes rubbish, so unfair, the maid never violate the law why they sent back home, have chance to find anothet emplyer
Zi Shyan Chang well said , thanks for your kind heart
Why still.inform the employer for the situation? Is it the employer who know it already? Common sense and iniative pls..employer must use they are brain , horrible employer, wake up singapore must treat us as a human like you, dont just do rubbish
Well I won’t mind cos in hongkong it’s under a table
I also have the same experience in 2010-2012. I rest at the laundry place with a matress and no fan for 1yr and 4month. Untill i get problm at my bck part of my shoulder untill i cant move properly. The i complain to my boss i feel too hot i cannot sleep i sweat really wet. Then my lady boss massage me and she buy fan for me but im stll sleep ther untill my contract finish.with no off for 2yrs and taking care of big family like 9 person including me.
Philip People shouldn’t employ a maid if they cannot afford to provide them with a proper place to sleep.
The maid should bring the employer to court for wrongful or unfair dismissal. Claim what is due to her.
Philip Ng employers must take care of their workers.(use common sense lah) must treat ur workers well so that they will do in return.(maids also are human being)
Before they employ a FDW. I believe the employer have to provide them with a proper sleeping condition. If they know and still do it then is a great wrongdoing. MOM should come to the picture. As the penalty should be serve heavily for the employer. The maid is able to do a transfer rather than repatriation. The maid have a choice to chose & not the employer.
No way. ..In fact I experienced sleep storeroom n balcony 6 yrs singapore
Try sleeping in the kitchen
Katrina Kay Repalda yes she is right. The attitude of the maid is so disrespectful n she hated that disrespect. She is right.
Gie Anne u totally misunderstood her
Philip Ng if sg house are too small with limited bedroom at least let the worker sleep in the living room. Even my pet have a better living space and we’re talking about treatment towards another human being. Question definitely not about who the worker first seek. Its common sense that employer should at least provide proper needs to their worker which includes the space where they rest
Yea. And why they send her back home.. they should give her a chance to find a new employer..
Singapore views about the labour force is really sad. How would the poor maid know that she must talk to her employer first? After all the employer knowingly only has made her sleep in the kitchen!! So unfair to the maid!!
U don’t put anyone to sleep in the kitchen…..I don’t know about u….it’s a place for cooking and not a bedroom. ..the issue I have is that there was no protection for her job security which I personally think is a bunch of bullshit!!!
wrong thing….urmaid shld speak to u first!
She got fired for doing the right thing!!! Wake up Singapore…and please protect the work force a bit better….first world country? Really???
Even dogs sleep in a well ventilated or in an airconed room,why can’t a human being "us-domesric helpers" sleep in a room where we can rest and sleep properly?(haven’t experienced this thu but I pity my fellow fdw).