Latest news with #dignity
Independent Singapore
6 days ago
- General
- Independent Singapore
Domestic helpers in Singapore: We left our own children behind to raise yours, but you treat us like second-class citizens, without even basic dignity
SINGAPORE: 'Singapore is known for its world-class standards, but beneath the surface of this clean, modern society lies a silent injustice — the daily mistreatment of foreign domestic workers (FDWs) who leave their families behind, only to be treated without basic dignity,' wrote Eryana Eryan. Her post in the Facebook group Direct Hire Transfer Singapore Maid / Domestic Helper recently expressed a searing commentary that cracked open this often-muted reality — a post that's now resonating with many who know the system needs fixing. Her voice, equal parts heartfelt and heartbreaking, sheds light on the day-to-day indignities suffered by helpers at the hands of employers who blur the line between firm supervision and outright cruelty. Fed stale rice, not respect 'Some helpers are barely fed. Leftovers become their daily meals — sometimes stale rice, expired instant noodles, or nothing at all. When they request proper food, they're told, 'This is not a hotel'.' If this sounds like something out of a dystopian novel, it's not. It's a quiet reality faced by a shocking number of helpers, who cook and clean and are expected to be grateful for a cold clump of reheated rice and a glare in return. And no, Singaporean homes aren't hotels — but that also means we shouldn't be treating people like room service staff on zero pay and zero dignity. Rest is a luxury, not a right In many households, FDWs are up before the sun, scrubbing tiles and frying eggs while the rest of the home is still snoring. They go on to wash, fold, dust, chase toddlers, walk dogs, scrub toilets, and reheat meals — only to finally collapse into bed past midnight. 'Proper rest is a luxury… no breaks, no naps, just task after task. The moment they sit down, someone's watching or shouting.' According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), employers are responsible for ensuring the well-being of their helpers, which includes providing them with adequate rest. Sufficient sleep daily At least one rest day a week Breaks during the day So if your helper's eyes are barely open, and she's nodding off while ironing your clothes, the problem may not be her attitude, but your expectations. When 'discipline' becomes abuse Some employers justify their control with a worn-out script: 'They must learn respect!', but shouting, name-calling, and threats aren't discipline — they're verbal abuse dressed up in a tidy uniform. 'Helpers are screamed at over small mistakes. Called 'stupid', 'useless', or worse — with threats like 'I'll cancel your work permit!' or 'I'll blacklist you!'' Singapore's MOM explicitly states that employers must not verbally abuse or threaten FDWs. Disputes should be resolved calmly or through mediation, not intimidation. If you wouldn't speak to your colleague like that without getting HR involved, why is it okay to scream at someone who lives under your roof? Prisoners in plain sight FDWs aren't just cut off emotionally. Many are physically restricted — their phones taken away, their contact with families strictly controlled, and some, you may have heard or read in the news yourself, unbelievably, are still made to sleep in storerooms, on floors, or next to washing machines — all while being monitored by CCTV 24/7, even in bathrooms. '(Their) phones are locked away. Some aren't allowed to call home for weeks. They're made to feel like prisoners in a home they help maintain,' Eryana added as well. That's just unethical and breaches MOM's advisory, which recommends giving helpers access to communication and a private space to rest. Denying contact with loved ones isn't supervision — it's psychological and emotional suffocation. Anxiety, fear, and the things we don't see 'Many cry themselves to sleep, suffer in silence, and live with anxiety. Some even endure physical harassment — and are too afraid to speak up.' This is the part that often goes unspoken. When mental health breaks down, the effects are silent and long-lasting. What appears to be 'attitude' may be a sign of trauma. What seems like 'laziness' may be depression, and the worst part is that some endure emotional and inappropriate physical abuse, with nowhere to turn. If you suspect someone's being abused, speak up. If you're an employer, ensure your home is a safe space, not a silent prison. A mirror we all need to look into… Eryana ends her post with a powerful plea for better laws and a humane society. 'No salary can justify abuse. Helpers come here to earn for their families — not to be controlled, threatened, or broken.' 'Would you accept this treatment for your mother or daughter overseas?' Let's get real: Having a helper is a privilege, not a birthright. It's not an excuse to offload our lives onto another human being and then treat them like an unpaid robot with a mop. And to those who still scoff at this post, remember: Character is how you treat someone who can't do anything for you in return. What you can do if you or someone you know is mistreated If you're a helper facing abuse, or you know someone who is, there are ways to get help safely: 📞 Call the MOM FDW helpline at 1800 339 5505 🧭 Reach out to the Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE), which provides free advice, mediation, and legal support 📩 Or message trusted community support groups who can guide you to safety According to MOM guidelines, helpers who are mistreated should try a calm discussion first. If that fails, report the case through the proper channels — no one deserves to live in fear. And of course, the rest of us can also do better… This post by Eryana isn't just a rant — it's a wake-up call. A reminder that modern servitude still exists, even in modern homes, and a challenge to us all: If we expect kindness and respect from others, we must first extend it to those who quietly carry our households on their shoulders. 'Start treating helpers like the humans they are — with compassion, dignity, and respect.' We don't need another law to know that no one deserves to be broken in the name of obedience. What we need is conscience. What we need is the courage to say no to fear and intimidation. In other news, a heartfelt Facebook post that quickly caught the attention of fellow helpers and employers alike, a foreign domestic worker sounded the alarm on her harsh working conditions, shedding light yet again on the difficult balance between duty, dignity, and domestic life in Singapore. 'I've only been here in Singapore for three months now,' she wrote in a public group for direct hire transfers. 'But my boss treats me badly. He always yells at me, always gets angry with me. Even though I've done everything (all the work), everyone (my employers) still says I'm lazy. I don't get enough rest working from 6:30 in the morning until 12:30 at night.' You can read her full story here: Maid says, 'My employer calls me lazy and always yells at me even though I've done all the work without rest from 6:30 morning to 12:30 night'
BBC News
02-07-2025
- BBC News
The worst moment of my life should not become your viral video
When Eve Thomas found paramedics treating her badly injured father at the scene of a crash, she was surrounded by people taking photos and videos to share on social ones were then mistakenly told that Eve's father had died, because online speculation travelled faster than the has backed a campaign urging people to think before sharing images of traumatic events, supported by emergency workers who say these actions interfere with their ability to save lives and preserve Nia Lambley said there had been a "seismic change" in the behaviour of onlookers at the scene of emergency incidents, with phones often used to capture images rather than to call for help. Eve, now 25, was 17 when her father, Nigel, was knocked off his bicycle returning home from work as a delivery driver in Hirwaun, Rhondda Cynon school bus was among the traffic that stopped at the scene in the immediate aftermath, and she saw that her father was involved."I was essentially on a bus full of other children that were filming and taking pictures and it was incredibly distressing," said Eve."He was treated by the air ambulance and people filmed his treatment."Nigel had sustained a severe traumatic brain injury and numerous other physical injuries. He was in a coma for a month and spent around nine months in hospital. Eve said having the incident documented and discussed online "took on a life of its own"."He was at a very vulnerable point and didn't have a voice in that - he couldn't speak on any of it, and people were sort of doing that for him - putting that narrative out there, that wasn't necessarily true."While friends attempted to have material taken down from various online platforms, the fact that it was filmed or photographed at all is something that Eve has struggled with."Even if it's somebody's old phone is in a drawer, they've got my father's worst moment in his entire life on there," she said."Even if we've managed to get [the images] taken down, the impact of knowing that people would do that stays."If it was you or someone you loved in that situation, would you rather have someone take a minute and think - or call for help - or would you rather them film it and preserve that?" Insp Lambley from South Wales Police is urging people to use their phones to call for help, rather than to livestream a person's final moments. "We're trying to give people as much dignity in that vulnerable moment as possible," said Insp Lambley."When people whip their phones out and take photos of them or video them, we're losing control of that. We're not able to give them dignity."She said there had been a "seismic change" during her 13 years as a police officer."Now it just seems the go-to is that instead of people using their phone to call for help, they're using it to film and upload to social media for nothing more than likes and comments."It's not with the intention of bringing anyone to justice or to assist that person in any way - you're robbing that person of dignity."The campaign, It's Not Your Story To Tell, has been co-produced by Ms Thomas and the South Wales Trauma Network, which is made up of hospitals, emergency services and rehabilitation services. 'Livestreaming their last moments' Insp Lambley said police being filmed by members of the public is common, and said she accepted that officers must be held accountable."But when we see the impact it has on people that we're dealing with as victims of crime or traumatic incidents like car accidents or stabbings, it really hurts, because it completely contradicts what we're trying to do."On some occasions they're using their phone to livestream people in - sometimes - their last moments."She recalled one incident where a 15-year-old boy had died and after attempting to resuscitate him, she and colleagues became aware that a member of the public had taken a photo and circulated on social media that the teenager had said she had been trained to deliver "a death message" with dignity, meaning they would take time to compose themselves before breaking the news to relatives."In this case I literally had to run from the scene to the house of this boy's parents, looking dishevelled and out of breath and bang on their door and say 'I'm really sorry, your son is dead'."That's not how I ever wanted to deliver that message, but I felt I had to get there before social media. You're running against something that you have no control over."For me, I did a disservice to that family."But I intercepted somebody who was on their way to give their condolences, and more or less push them back from the front door, saying 'the [family] don't know'." The campaign was initiated by the South Wales Trauma Network because of the impact the issue has on a number of affiliated Bradley, operations manager for the network, said having someone record your efforts to support a person in their hour of need had "a negative experience for everyone involved", including the professionals."I think it's really important to highlight the effect on staff too," she said."When people are recording them actually trying to save a life the effect is huge. It's a huge responsibility on that member of staff."I have never forgotten any patient that has been involved in any sort of serious accident - or their family and loved ones. They stay with me forever."We reached out to every blue light service and asked them about the impact - every one of them came back and said we have an experience that is negative and we want to be part of this campaign."
Telegraph
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Trans suspects can ask for female and male officers to search different halves of body
Trans women with breasts and a penis can ask for a female police officer to search the top half of their body and a male officer to search their bottom half, under new guidance issued in Scotland. The five-page document issued by Police Scotland says searches will usually be conducted by an officer of the same biological sex as the transgender person. The guidance, issued following the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in April, means that police searches of trans women will be carried out by male officers. However, the guidance also says that trans people can request to be searched by an officer who matches their 'lived gender' instead to ensure their dignity is 'respected' and 'to minimise distress'. If this happens, the guidance stated that 'efforts will be made to ensure an appropriate officer conducts the search, where this is operationally viable to do so'. Officer's consent required Written consent will be required from the officer conducting the search, an 'authorising officer' of inspector rank or above, and the trans person. Trans people are also entitled to ask for a 'separate area search' if one part of their body has a different 'anatomical presentation' from another. This could happen if a trans woman suspect has had hormone therapy to grow breasts but still has male genitalia, for example. 'This means that one half of their body will be searched by one biological sex officer and the other half of their body will be searched by a different biological sex officer,' the guidance said. Police Scotland said the new policy had been developed following 'extensive advice' for legal and human rights advisors, following April's Supreme Court ruling that the definition of a woman is based solely on biological sex. 'Erosion' of women's rights But For Women Scotland, the feminist campaign group that won the case, warned that a trans person altering one half of their body does not mean they have changed sex. Susan Smith, one of the group's directors, said: 'They aren't some creature of myth, half-male and half-female. It is disturbing and distressing that the police are pandering to these extreme delusions.' She also argued that 'written consent cannot override the law and will be a poor excuse if a female officer subsequently discovers that the suspect she agreed to search intimately has committed sex offences'. Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns at gender-critical charity Sex Matters, said: 'Until what seems like five minutes ago, Police Scotland was a fully-fledged champion of transgender ideology and a paid-up member of Stonewall's diversity champions scheme, so it's a relief to see Police Scotland joining several other forces in the UK in basing strip-searching primarily on biological sex. 'However, the policy to allow trans-identifying suspects to request being searched by someone of the same 'gender' that they identify as is a glaring loophole. It's open to exploitation by trans rights activists who take an active interest in the erosion of boundaries and the rights of women. 'This policy puts female officers at risk of pressure and coercion to go along with the demands of male trans-identifying suspects to be searched by women.' 'Complex' area of policing Police Scotland is the second-largest force in the UK after London's Metropolitan Police. The British Transport Police has previously confirmed trans women arrested on the railways would in future be strip-searched by male officers. Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton said: 'This is a complex and important area of policing and searching members of the public is a significant intrusion of their personal liberty and privacy. 'It is critical that as an organisation, Police Scotland continues to fulfil its legal duties as well as ensuring officers and staff feel confident that they are conducting searches lawfully. 'While the guidance will bring clarity to both our colleagues and members of the public, we are acutely aware of the impact and depth of feeling around this issue, both among the transgender community and those who hold gender-critical views.' She said the force's priority was to ensure decisions were made in line with its service values of 'integrity, fairness, respect and upholding human rights'.
BBC News
24-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Sanitary bin ban row at Devon seaside toilets
Public toilets at a seaside town in south Devon are at the centre of a row over what campaigners call people's dignity and Hey has been installing sanitary bins in Hope Cove's public toilets for the past two years, supported by harbour master Sean Hassall and other community members. But their efforts to address what they described as a serious gap in public health provision have been thwarted by South Hams District Council, which has removed the council said it recognised campaigners' "good intentions" but "no-one approached the council to discuss their installation before their placement". Ms Hey said the people's dignity was being "flushed away" in the battle over bins."People should feel safe using those toilets in an environment where they can manage their periods with dignity," she said. "It's a massive moral issue. I feel the council is not treating service-users with the dignity and respect they deserve."The authority said in a statement: "We completely recognise the community had good intentions by placing bins within our public toilets for sanitary use. "However, no-one approached the council to discuss their installation before their placement. "We need to ensure we operate and dispose of waste in a safe and legal manner, therefore we will now carry out a review of this matter." Ms Hey disputes the council's reasoning. "Sanitary waste isn't clinical waste. It's classified as non-hazardous and can be disposed of in household bins," she said. East Devon, North Devon and Torbay councils all confirmed that they provided sanitary bins in their women's public toilets."At the height of the season, hundreds of people use these toilets," said Ms Hey."With no proper disposal facilities, hygiene was dire. Products were being left on the floor, behind toilets, even on sinks."Harbourmaster Sean Hassall said: "Since the bins went in, we don't get blocked toilets at all."It saves the council money and keeps our toilets nice." The campaign has now gained national backing from Prostate Cancer UK, which is calling for sanitary bins in all public toilets through its Boys Need Bins campaign."There is a really high need for them in men's toilets," said Nick Ridgman, head of support services at Prostate Cancer UK. "One in three men over 65 experience some level of urinary incontinence, and many men with prostate cancer need to use pads or other products. "Without bins, they're forced to carry soiled items around, or even go into women's toilets to dispose of them. "It's not acceptable and it stops men from living their best lives." Despite the council's claim that no-one approached it before installing the bins, Mr Hassall disputes that. He said: "The council do know we've got bins in there. They know we've got our own hand soap in there. Becci even puts flowers in the ladies' toilets. We go above and beyond."The community has also been providing free sanitary products to support those in need. "When people come down, they're amazed," said Mr Hassall. "People are so pleased, they often put a contribution in the lifeboat fund."
Sky News
20-06-2025
- Health
- Sky News
Assisted dying bill: How both sides of debate reacted to historic vote
People on both sides of the assisted dying debate have told Sky News how they feel about the outcome of today's vote – and while some are popping open champagne, others are "incredibly disappointed". More than 300 MPs this afternoon backed a bill that gives people in England and Wales who have less than six months to live the right to apply for an assisted death. Each request will be evaluated by two doctors and a panel featuring a social worker, senior legal figure and psychiatrist. Today's historic vote means the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will now go to the House of Lords for further scrutiny before becoming law. Following the landmark vote, individuals for and against it have shared their feelings on the result. Frank Tate-Sutton - For 6:04 Frank Tate-Sutton is terminally ill and told Sky News she's relieved the bill has passed, even though the law won't be changed in time for her. "These are happy tears," she said. "I am emotional. It's a very difficult subject for everybody." Ms Tate-Sutton said her quality of life is "very important - and I'm losing it". "I don't want to die without dignity, without it being my choice, without my family knowing that this is what I want," she continued. "As much as they [my family] want me alive, do they want to see me lying in my living room in a hospital bed, taking all these drugs, not being able to talk, not being able to control my bodily functions? "That is not a life, for me - living on all the medications and not being able to exist without that… the side effects and everything." Mike Smith - Against 5:20 Mike Smith is a spokesperson for the disability rights group Not Dead Yet - and he has been left "incredibly disappointed" by the outcome of the vote. "This particular bill had so many failings in the way safeguards are constructed and the significant scope for coercion, whether it's overt or subliminal," he said. Mr Smith says he fears some people will "end up ending their lives earlier than they should do or want to". "There are so many disabled people around the country that have told us they're absolutely scared." "I think it's this inherent fear people have about being disabled that drives this very emotional response on this really complex topic," he explained. "What we know is, with good palliative care, social care, access to housing and an income, many disabled people ... can lead amazing lives." 6:48 Rebecca Wilcox and her TV presenter mother Dame Esther Rantzen, who has terminal cancer, have long been campaigning for a change to the UK's law on assisted dying. Speaking from Parliament Square as fellow supporters of the bill popped champagne behind her, Ms Wilcox described today's vote as "an extraordinary moment". "It means so much to me," she said. "I spoke to mum and her one word to describe it was 'wow'. "She didn't think she was going to live to see the debate, let alone a conclusion that went our way." In response to concerns about safeguarding, she said it will "bring in layer upon layer of safeguards". "We're going to have scrutiny upon scrutiny for every case and at the moment, there is no scrutiny," she said. "Coercion could be happening as we speak. "There is now protection for vulnerable people, by having this bill passed." Dr Gordon Macdonald - Against Dr Macdonald said the bill passing with a majority of 23 - less than half what its second reading achieved - is proof that "the more people have thought about this issue, the more they've had doubts". The doctor, who is the CEO of anti-euthanasia organisation Care not Killing, said: "We will see what happens when it gets to the [House of] Lords, the Lords will hopefully give it more rigorous scrutiny than happened in the Commons". His biggest concern is "for people who are vulnerable, who will feel pressure to end their lives". "That might come from external forces, but it's more likely to just be internalised pressure," Dr Macdonald said. "They'll feel they're a burden on their family and friends, conscious of the cost of care, and think they should do the decent thing, as they would see it in that thinking." It's "of course a terrible message for society to send out to people," he said.
