03-07-2025
High-rise cleaning act in Shenton Way sends woman viral
A video that shows a woman on a frame ladder cleaning the balcony window of a penthouse unit at V on Shenton has gone viral.
It appeared on the Singapore Incidents Facebook page on June 30 and has been viewed 2.2 million times since, with more than 3,000 shares, 12,000 reactions and more than 1,500 comments. The 22-second video was also shared on their YouTube channel .
While it is unclear if the woman was a domestic worker, netizens were quick to criticise the unit's owner for allowing the perilous task on the 237m-high tower to be carried out.
"When a person is rich… the more they become demanding, stingy and selfish," said Facebook user Zhi Yao, referring to the owner of the penthouse, which could have a value of approximately $16 million.
"If she falls, they will say, 'I told her not to do it but she insisted," said Sarah Emmanuel.
"Can afford a penthouse, but cannot afford safety measures. Rich in wallet, poor in heart," said another commenter Jason Ghim Hwee Ng.
Other noted that Ministry of Manpower rules do not permit such dangerous work to be done by maids while some offered advice on how to carry out the task safely, with remote cleaning devices such as drones, or to report the employer to the authorities.
There were also those who said they would prefer to be sacked than to put themselves at such risk, even if it were for a lot of money, and a number who advised the woman in the video to consider her own safety.
"People severely underestimate how powerful a random wind draft is at that height. If you're caught off guard, it can blow you off balance," said Redditor Raitoumightou.
"No one can force you to do a task which endangers your life. Learn to say no. Laws mandate a safe environment for workers' life and health!" said Connie Arcega Kovacevic.
Several domestic workers who saw the video shared their own experiences with their employers.
"My madam said, 'Don't use a ladder to clean windows outside, just clean where I can reach, can already," commented Ecinaj Arellano Echevere.
This is the second such high-rise incident in two days.
Yesterday, a STOMPER shared a photo of a domestic worker squatting on a ledge while cleaning a window of a condominium unit in Alexandra Road.
