Latest news with #domestichelpers
South China Morning Post
15 hours ago
- Climate
- South China Morning Post
Here's how you can prepare for typhoon as Wipha heads towards Hong Kong
Tropical Storm Wipha is edging nearer to Hong Kong and is expected to keep intensifying, bringing strong winds and torrential rain. The Post explains how you can prepare for the coming bad weather, with Wipha forecast to be closest to the city on Sunday. 1. What's the situation for domestic helpers? Under local labour laws, domestic helpers are entitled to at least one rest day in every seven-day period. Employers cannot compel them to work on their rest day or offer payment in lieu of granting a statutory holiday. If a helper's scheduled rest day is Sunday, and a typhoon signal is in force, employers should still not require them to report for work even if they choose to stay at home. For helpers who are working, safety should be prioritised and they should not be asked to travel or perform duties that may put them at risk. It is crucial for employers and employees to have clear, prearranged agreements for adverse weather to avoid misunderstandings and ensure safety.
Independent Singapore
07-07-2025
- Independent Singapore
"So scary" - Netizens fear for woman seen cleaning high-rise windows without safety gear
SINGAPORE: A video of a woman cleaning the exterior windows of a high-rise apartment in Marina Bay has gone viral, raising serious concerns about safety. The clip, shared on Facebook by the page 'Singapore Incidents' on 30 June, shows a woman precariously perched on a ladder on the balcony of what is believed to be a unit in V on Shenton, a luxury condominium in the city centre. She appears to be cleaning the windows with her body positioned above the balcony railing — with no visible safety harness or protective measures in place. The video, which seems to have been filmed by a neighbour from a nearby building, has since garnered oover 10,000 likes and sparked widespread discussion across social media platforms. Many netizens expressed alarm at the obvious risks involved, calling the act 'so scary' and 'dangerously irresponsible'. Several others speculated that the woman could be a domestic helper hired by the household. This has intensified public concern, especially given existing regulations that strictly govern such activities. Under guidelines set by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), domestic helpers arevnot allowed to clean the exterior of windows unless strict conditions are met: they must be closely supervised by the employer or an adult household member, not stand on window ledges, and the windows must be fitted with grilles or protective features, which must be locked during cleaning.
South China Morning Post
24-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
New rules may drive more low-income debtors in Hong Kong to unlicensed lenders
Taking loans from unlicensed money lenders in Hong Kong could become a bigger problem among low-income debtors, including domestic helpers, if the government's plan to regulate licensed operators overly restricts their borrowing, concern groups have warned. Advertisement The issue was raised on Tuesday a day after the Financial Services and Treasury Bureau launched a two-month public consultation on enhancing regulation on licensed money lending. Among the proposed measures, the government would set an aggregate cap on unsecured personal loans based on the borrower's monthly income. Those earning HK$5,000 (US$637) or less a month would not be allowed to borrow an amount exceeding their monthly income. The limit would be set at two months' income for people earning between HK$5,001 and HK$10,000. As an alternative plan, the authorities could also cap the debt ratio of a borrower's income. For those having a monthly income of HK$5,000 or less, the monthly repayment should not be more than 35 per cent of their income. The rate should be lower than 40 per cent for those earning between HK$5,001 and HK$10,000. According to the consultation paper, some low-income borrowers, such as foreign domestic helpers, were prone to excessive borrowing. Advertisement 'Some borrowers are unable to repay their debts, leading to their employers being harassed by money lenders and debt collectors, which causes a number of social problems,' the bureau said in its paper.
Independent Singapore
23-06-2025
- General
- Independent Singapore
Is it now normal for helpers in Singapore to handle everything—from housework to parenting? Local asks
SINGAPORE: After noticing that many of her friends and siblings had become overly dependent on their domestic helpers, a Singaporean woman took to social media to ask: 'Is it alright to let your helper handle everything from children to house chores, etc?' She posted the question on the r/askSingapore subreddit on Friday (June 20), explaining that based on what she had seen among her friends and family, some helpers were being made to do far more than just housework. 'Their helper is doing every single thing for their family, from house chores to feeding, changing and bathing their babies. Always see them going out and going on vacations, clubbing, etc., while their helpers are taking care of their children and homes. Even when they're out for a family outing, their helpers are always around,' she said. On top of all that, she pointed out the pay didn't match the workload. A lot of these helpers were earning somewhere between $500 to $700 a month, which she felt was way too little considering everything they were expected to do on a daily basis. At the end of her post, she wrote, 'Is this considered normal in Singapore, or is it a little bit too much? I feel like, especially with infants and younger kids, parents should be around their children more.' 'Why have kids if you aren't willing to be a parent?' Opinions in the comments section were mixed. Some netizens felt that it's totally 'all right' and pretty 'normal' in Singapore for helpers to take on both household chores and childcare duties. For them, it wasn't so much about parents shirking their responsibilities, but more about having some extra support to cope with the demands of daily life. One netizen said, 'Every household has its own dynamics. As long as the helper has sufficient rest, don't think it's any of our business. Anyway, it's a free market. If the helper feels overworked and nothing changes after voicing out, they can always ask for a transfer.' Another wrote, 'Singaporeans work very long hours so that they can afford the domestic helpers, and less or no time on household chores.' A third remarked, 'It's definitely alright to, but not the most ideal arrangement.' However, a few others disagreed with this view, arguing that parents should not delegate all their responsibilities to the helper. One netizen commented, 'It's unreasonable (and honestly really exploitative) to expect someone to cook, clean, manage the household, and take care of all the kids' needs at $500-700 a month. If I became a stay-at-home mum and all of these responsibilities fell on me, I'd probably go mad.' 'Also, there's a certain level of judgment directed at parents who choose not to be hands-on. The helper is supposed to help you, not replace you. Why have kids if you aren't willing to be a parent?' MOM: Domestic helpers must receive proper rest and fair treatment Employers may assign their domestic helpers to carry out both household chores and childcare duties; however, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) mandates that helpers must be given proper rest, fair treatment, and appropriate compensation. According to their guidelines, helpers are entitled to 'one rest day' per week and must be provided with 'adequate shelter, basic amenities, sufficient ventilation, safety, modesty, privacy, and adequate food.' Read also: 'I'm still her child and I have feelings too': Daughter says her mum favours siblings who give more money, even though she covers most family expenses Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
Independent Singapore
12-06-2025
- Independent Singapore
SFA investigating ‘Little Indonesia Market' run by maids at City Plaza in Paya Lebar
SINGAPORE: Migrant domestic workers have reportedly been selling food and drinks in Paya Lebar, specifically in the area around City Plaza, according to a report in Shin Min Daily News. This occurs on most weekends, the Chinese-language daily says, adding that the maids from Indonesia sell these items in spite of knowing that it is against the law. Some have taken to calling the area 'Little Indonesia Market.' However, this may not go on for much longer, as authorities have begun to look into the matter. The report quotes the Singapore Food Agency as saying that they've started investigations and that action will be taken against unlicensed food vendors. The helpers are selling food in order to earn a little bit more money, although this comes somewhat at the expense of the shopkeepers in the vicinity, who've lost some business. Despite selling their items for slightly higher prices, some of the women still do brisk business. One hawker said that sales at his stall have been affected by around 20 per cent. Some of the helpers selling food simply display the items in open spaces, while others walk around with reusable bags containing food items such as chicken rice, rice balls, and fruit. When a person shows interest in buying something from them, they stop for a possible transaction. A helper who spoke to Shin Min Daily News said that her employer does not know about her side job. Understandably, she chose not to be named in the report and apologised and walked away, even while she was still being questioned, asking not to be followed. In Singapore, people who do not have a license to do so are not allowed to offer food items or other goods for sale in a public place under the Environmental Public Health Act 1987. This is because doing so could not only cause environmental problems, but also pose a risk to public health. It is possible that food sold illegally may not meet the safety standards of the Singapore Food Agency and may therefore not be safe for consumption. See also Singapore houses recovered migrant workers on cruise ships The agency told MustshareNews , 'Food safety is a joint responsibility. Members of the public who come across any suspected illegal hawking of goods and/or food are advised not to patronise them and make a report via our online feedback form .' /TISG Read also: MOM: Maids are required to have measles immunity in households with young kids who aren't fully vaccinated, as cases rise worldwide
