Latest news with #domesticworker
Independent Singapore
2 days ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Maid says, 'I got terminated and was asked to leave Singapore immediately because I want to get married to a Singaporean'
SINGAPORE: 'Have I committed a crime to get married?' was the question from a foreign domestic worker (FDW) in Singapore in a twist that sounds like a modern-day Cinderella tale with immigration red tape and a surprise termination letter as she was abruptly fired and told to pack up and leave the country, all because she fell in love with a Singaporean. 'I was shocked today,' she wrote in a heartfelt Facebook post. 'My agency came and let me know to pack my things and leave the country immediately. I got terminated. My boss said this is because I'm going to get married to a Singaporean.' Photo: FB/Direct Hire Transfer Singapore Maid / Domestic helper The maid, who had taken a weekday off for her pre-wedding photoshoot (offering to swap it with her usual Sunday rest day), said she never expected that a budding romance would cost her job and her right to remain in Singapore. 'I've informed my employer I can't continue the contract and will work until the end of October, and they had no objection. I thought we didn't have miscommunication, but I'm wrong,' she shared. 'They never tell me early and give me no chance to prepare myself.' Well, it turns out, love isn't the problem—but protocol is. When wedding bells meet work permit rules According to Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM), FDWs on work permits are not allowed to marry Singapore citizens or permanent residents without first obtaining written approval. This rule applies whether the marriage takes place locally or overseas. A recruitment agency also chimed in: 'Yes, a foreign domestic worker can marry a Singaporean, but they must first obtain MOM's approval. Failure to do so can lead to work permit cancellation and bans on re-entry.' In other words, skipping the paperwork is like skipping the wedding cake—it doesn't end well. Employers weigh in Several employers in the same Facebook group were quick to explain their side of the story, many citing that they could lose their S$5,000 security bond if the helper violates MOM rules. 'If you've not obtained approval from MOM, it's the employer's legal duty to report it. Otherwise, they're liable,' one commented. Another employer added: 'You came here for a purpose. You should at least have a good mind to complete the contract and then get married, not break the contract as and when you want.' Still, some employers showed sympathy: 'Many helpers are married to Singaporeans, and there's nothing wrong with that. Some employers are happy for them,' wrote one. 'Maybe your boss just didn't have the right mindset.' Maids react with a mix of empathy and real talk Other helpers shared similar experiences and dished out their advice, sister to sister. One wrote: 'It's not a crime, sis, but as a work permit holder, we can't get married to a Singaporean unless we go back to our own country and apply for a visa the right way.' Another commented with a laugh: 'You came here to do your job, not to make love to somebody. Before I entered, immigration staff even asked me, 'You come to work or find a husband?'😂.' A fellow FDW added this sobering reminder: 'You must ask before you do it. MOM rules state that we cannot get married to a Singaporean boyfriend while working as a maid. If you want to get married, go home first. Your boyfriend can then apply for a fiancée visa.' So… was she in the wrong? Legally speaking, yes—rules were bent. Emotionally? That's a different story. While love stories rarely come with a government-issued rulebook, work permits do. The reality is, when you're in Singapore under a work permit, your employer is responsible for you, and any legal slip-up (intentional or not) can put their money and reputation on the line. That said, many agree that the situation could've been handled more compassionately. A little communication might've gone a long way. Or as one maid put it: 'Your failure is also your employer's failure to MOM.' Moral of the story: Don't let Cupid violate immigration rules If you're a foreign domestic helper in Singapore thinking of tying the knot with a Singaporean, here's the checklist: Talk to your employer first. Respect and honesty go a long way. Apply for MOM approval. This step is non-negotiable. Don't break your contract unless you're prepared to face the consequences. If in doubt, call MOM or an approved agency for advice. Because in Singapore, even love needs a licence… if you're an FDW, that is. In other news, a foreign domestic helper in Singapore has shared her culinary conundrum: being expected to whip up restaurant-worthy meals… with nothing but a lonely cabbage and some soy sauce. You can read her episode of 'MasterChef: Minimalist Edition full story here: Maid says, 'My employer asks me to cook fancy meals like in a restaurant, but there's only 1 cabbage in the fridge, and they refused to give me a grocery allowance'
Independent Singapore
4 days ago
- General
- Independent Singapore
Employer says her helper refuses to care for her 3 yo daughter, claims she left child in soiled diaper and standing in her own vomit
SINGAPORE: On Thursday (July 17), an employer took to social media to share that her domestic helper refuses to care for her toddler, even when the child is sick or in distress. Posting in the 'Direct Hire Transfer Singapore Maid / Domestic Helper' Facebook group, the employer explained that she had clearly laid out her expectations when hiring the helper around five months ago. The helper's primary duty was to care for her three-year-old daughter on weekends, school holidays, and whenever the child was unwell or at home. Routine household chores such as cleaning and cooking were to be done only during school hours, typically between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Despite these clear instructions, the helper has allegedly continued to prioritise the housework, often at the expense of the child's well-being. 'I've clearly told her that weekends and non-school days should be fully focused on my child, and she has the whole weekday to finish housework since the child is in school,' the employer wrote. 'But she still spends hours on weekends folding clothes, cleaning toilets, mopping, etc., and even leaves my toddler alone in the room for long periods. When I confronted her, she said she was 'doing housework.' I feel like she's purposely overdoing chores to avoid engaging with my child.' The employer also recounted some of the most distressing moments when the helper failed to act when her daughter needed immediate care. 'Recently, my daughter had diarrhoea. My helper told me she had soiled her diaper — but didn't change it because 'she didn't want to.' Same thing happened when she vomited — she left my daughter standing in the vomit and waited for me to handle it. I find this lack of initiative and common sense very frustrating.' See also Domestic helper fired for harming employer's cat The employer also expressed concern about the helper's inability to read her daughter's basic cues, saying that even after five months, she still seems confused or irritated whenever the child struggles to express herself. 'She [my helper] keeps asking my daughter 'what do you want?' over and over — even when it's obvious she's tired, hungry or wants milk,' the employer said. 'I'm unsure if it's a language barrier or if she's just frustrated, but I can sense a lack of patience and reluctance.' The employer, who's heavily pregnant at the moment, further shared that she sometimes needs physical assistance, such as carrying, calming or comforting her daughter, but said the helper seldom steps in to offer any support. 'My helper shows no initiative — just walks away or pushes the stroller like it's not her job. It's frustrating because I really need support at this stage,' she said. Phone use has also become a frustrating issue. The employer mentioned that although her helper is given the entire night to use her phone freely after finishing her duties, she still ends up glued to it during the day, even when she's supposed to be watching the child. 'She uses her handphone freely when I'm in the room, caring for my child — assuming it's her 'rest time,' even though I brought my child in because she wasn't doing her part,' the employer continued. 'I also recently found out she uses one side of her earpods even when sending/fetching my daughter to school, and sometimes when we're out.' Unable to change helpers at this stage of her pregnancy, the employer appealed to the community for advice. She said, 'I need some advice on how to better manage my helper. Honestly, I don't have the time or energy to change helper now since I'm so close to delivering. But I'd really appreciate advice on how to set firmer boundaries and get her to understand her priorities better.' 'The best option is to find a better, reliable helper.' In the comments section, several netizens urged the expectant mother to consider replacing her unreliable helper, warning that keeping someone she cannot depend on, especially with a second child arriving soon, would only add to her stress and make things more difficult. 'If you're heavily pregnant and she still expects you to change the diaper then… red flag,' one comment read. 'I know the changing process will be damn tedious, but honestly… imagine having 2 kids and ZERO help when you need it most. Gonna be even more mentally draining and frustrating. PLUS! With the hormones all over the place, too.' 'I really think the best option is to find a better reliable helper and just get her replaced,' another said. 'Experienced helpers take less time to learn and know the basics well, and will be able to adapt within a week or so. There are better helpers around who really work well and take initiative to do it on their own.' On the contrary, some commenters defended the helper, suggesting she might simply 'lack experience in handling children.' A fellow helper also weighed in, sharing, 'You know why some helpers won't take initiative when it comes to children? Because most of the parents misunderstand that gesture and call it interfering with their parenting ways.' 'It's not that we don't want to; we want to but are hesitant. Later, you say helpers cannot interfere with your parenting, but anyway, that's case by case basis, yeah.' In other news, a man has turned to the online community for advice after his wife grew increasingly unhappy with his decision to stop working full-time, despite the couple being financially stable. In a post published on the r/SGHenry subreddit, the man, in his late 30s, explained that he and his wife have been married for five years and have been together for about a decade. Read more: 'Am I being selfish?': Man seeks advice as wife grows unhappy with his decision to stop working full-time Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
Independent Singapore
11-07-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Employers of domestic helpers in Singapore fire back: ‘You guys complain like all employers are insane; how about helpers who don't appreciate the things we do for them?'
SINGAPORE: In the bustling online community of the Direct Hire Transfer Singapore Maid / Domestic Helper Facebook group, one Singaporean employer let loose a fiery rant that lit up the comment section like a bonfire soaked in kerosene. 'You guys complain like employers are all insane,' the employer began. 'How about helpers that does not appreciate the things employers do for them?' Photo: FB/Direct Hire Transfer Singapore Maid / Domestic helper What followed was a heated monologue that touched on food, entitlement, shampoo preferences, and the universal frustration of feeling unappreciated as it opened the floodgates to a much larger, messier conversation: Are employers too kind… or are helpers just too entitled? A plateful of resentment According to the employer, the incident that tipped the scales involved a family outing to a 'known family restaurant,' where the helper was offered the same food as everyone else. The employer said she always prioritised her children's preferences when choosing the eatery. 'She [the helper] has been with us almost a year… She ended up buying something for S$18, totalling S$23 with her drink, (but) ate only two bites. (She) complained it's not nice and didn't touch anything else.' For context, S$23 is roughly equivalent to a day's wage for many foreign domestic workers in Singapore. And it clearly didn't go down well — neither the food, nor the gesture. 'Each time I do good towards her, she shows the side of not appreciating what I've done,' the employer complained, adding that the helper had also previously complained about the 'expensive shampoo' provided for her. 'I gave (her), but (she) never appreciated.' The post ends on a sour note, claiming that the helper also raised her voice during corrections, leading to arguments and mounting tension in the household. Fellow employers nod, and add their vent as well As expected, the post found an eager audience among other employers, many of whom chimed in with their own tales of domestic drama. 'That's what happened to me, too,' sighed one employer. 'Nowadays, most helpers don't appreciate but keep complaining. So disappointing.' Another recalled how she treated her helper 'more than family,' even paying for her kids' education. 'You know what she repaid me with? Love bites from her off days 🙄.' One user pulled no punches describing the state of her helper's private room: 'She vandalised the walls, pasted nose dirt, moulds on bed, balls of hair under the cupboard… and she still says employers are bad?' Then came the shampoo saga — a seemingly universal pain point. 'My helper gave me the face when I bought cheaper shampoo with a Myanmar word from the value shop,' one employer shared. 'But she was delighted when she got to buy the brand from FairPrice.' It's the little things, clearly, that can cause big problems. Privacy, pricey food, and pride What also emerged was a recurring theme: many employers feel caught in a no-win situation. When they offer kindness, it's not always returned with gratitude. When they correct poor behaviour, they're accused of being harsh. 'The nicer you treat them, the more they demand,' said one. 'Not all of them are like this, but MOST are. They don't know what is (being) grateful and appreciative.' Another added that 'We walk on eggshells in our own home. Black faces, banging things, silent treatment… We pay them, feed them, house them, what more do they want?' One employer offered a more pragmatic approach: 'No need to treat them so well so fast. Learn their character first.' 'Maybe the cuisine is not to her taste…' Despite the overwhelming chorus of employer frustrations, a few voices dared to be more reflective. 'Maybe the cuisine is not to her taste,' suggested one. 'She might have felt pressured to eat with the family. I prefer to give cash and let them decide where they want to eat on their own.' Another added, 'Nice employers, nice helper. You help me manage my home, and I pay you to build your house. Don't forget the hardship in your country. Be grateful that you got food here.' Helpers clap back… but with grace The post didn't go unanswered. Helpers in the group also weighed in, with responses ranging from the diplomatic to the cheekily honest. 'Some employers are not so good, some are good,' said one maid. 'Same with helpers. We don't generalise employers. We complain based on our experience.' Another commented, 'She is lucky to have that kind of employer, but she still complains. If I have an employer like that, I'd be so thankful.' One helper offered a more culinary critique: 'For me, I prefer simple home food. An expensive restaurant doesn't mean it's suitable for everyone's taste.' There were also heartfelt — and occasionally humorous — testimonials of healthy employer-helper relationships: 'My boss always loves what I choose, and everybody's happy,' one maid laughed. 'If I order expensive food, I share it. We laugh and enjoy it together. Everybody wins.' Another wrote: 'At least she brings you to the restaurant. My ahma takes me to the hawker centre and scolds me if I order more expensive food than hers.' The viral verdict: Empathy needed on both sides While the post triggered a deluge of grievances from both camps, one thing stood out: mutual frustration often stems from mismatched expectations and a breakdown in communication. The employer who started the debate may have hoped for validation, and she certainly got plenty. But what she also unearthed was a more complex conversation: one about culture, class, personal dignity, and the invisible emotional labour exchanged in every employer-helper dynamic. It's easy to assume that a S$23 meal, a bottle of shampoo, or a private room are markers of kindness. But for many helpers, what they crave most isn't luxury — it's understanding. As one maid summed it up: 'She's lucky to have you as her employer… Different from mine. I only have eggs and rice at home. She (my employer) even bought me expired Korean noodles.' In a country where foreign domestic helpers are as common in households as rice in a rice cooker, perhaps the real ingredient that's missing — on both plates — is empathy. And a side of tactful communication wouldn't hurt either. In other news, a post in a Facebook group expressed a searing commentary that cracked open an often-muted reality: '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,' a member of the group Eryana Eryan wrote. It was a post that's now resonating with many who know the system needs fixing. You can read the full story here: 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
Independent Singapore
09-07-2025
- General
- Independent Singapore
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'
SINGAPORE: In 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.' Photo: FB/Direct Hire Transfer Singapore Maid / Domestic helper That's 18 hours a day! With no rest! And if all her account is true, it's not just exhausting — it's exploitative! Despite this, the helper ended her post with grace and grit: 'I hope I can find a good boss. I'm a fast learner and know how to get along with others. Know how to take care of the elderly, children, and dogs. I can do cleaning, ironing, washing, and cooking.' In short: She's not giving up. 'Same with my employer. You're not alone.' — a chorus of quiet suffering Her post resonated with many other helpers in the group based on previous feedback on other posts. One chimed in with their own story in this one, commenting simply but poignantly: 'Same with my employer. You're not alone.😥 I miss my last employer. She's very calm and very understanding — one of the best employers.' The pain, nostalgia, and longing for respect wrapped into that one sentence were enough to speak volumes. For many domestic workers, good employers are always remembered for their kindness and basic human decency. 'Don't believe their drama' — some employers bite back However, not everyone was sympathetic. In the comments section, a few employers fired back — clearly fed up with what they viewed as a tired trope: the 'lazy maid' playing victim. 'Yeah, as usual,' one employer wrote. 'Create some story about your current employer. If you can't take the workload, next time during the interview, be honest. Don't say yes, ma'am, yes, sir, and end up wanting to change employers. Employer already paid so much to bring you in, and now you want to change. Don't be lazy.' Another added bluntly: 'Even if you ask for a transfer, it depends on your employer if they want to release you. Worst scenario, you'll be sent home.' To many onlookers, the tone may feel more like courtroom prosecution than constructive criticism, but it raises a fair question: Who's telling the truth? Unfortunately, in most cases, it's a one-sided story until the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) steps in — or something serious happens. Behind closed doors: What the MOM says… Singapore's MOM outlines clear expectations on its official website regarding the well-being of Foreign/Migrant Domestic Workers (FDWs/MDWs). According to MOM: 'As an employer, you are responsible for the health and well-being of your MDW.' And common sense tells us that this includes allowing them to have adequate rest with: Sufficient sleep (uninterrupted sleep at night) At least one rest day per week Breaks during the day, especially during long working hours In this case, if the helper's account of a daily 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. grind is true, it clearly violates basic guidelines. Sleep-deprived, verbally abused, and dismissed as lazy — that's not a job. That's survival — almost slavery, even. Moreover, fatigue due to insufficient rest can also affect your helper's performance and safety. It is detrimental to her well-being. No amount of cooking, cleaning, dog-walking, or diaper-changing should ever come at the cost of someone's physical and mental health. So whose drama is it anyway? The accusations from employers — that some helpers 'make up stories' or 'just want to find an easy household' — reflect a broader mistrust that often shadows the domestic helper scene in Singapore. Yes, it's true: Not every maid is a saint. Some might over-promise during interviews. Others might genuinely struggle with homesickness, communication, or unrealistic expectations, but in a power-imbalanced relationship where the employer holds the purse strings, the bed, the food, and the legal visa — how often do helpers have a fair chance to speak up? The high cost of a bad hire Many employers cite the hefty cost of hiring a helper — often between S$3,000 and S$5,000, including agency fees, insurance, and travel — as the reason they feel 'cheated' when a helper requests a transfer just weeks or months after being hired. Understandably, this causes frustration. However, it also reveals a deeper truth: We treat people better when we see them as individuals, not investments. Perhaps that's the crux of the issue. Employers see helpers as sunk costs. Helpers just want to be treated as humans. The 'lazy' label: a convenient catch-all? When everything else fails, name-calling begins. The word 'lazy' gets thrown around far too often in domestic work, but let's be real — can someone really be lazy after working 18 hours a day? Can someone be 'lazy' and still cook, clean, iron, wash, take care of the kids, the elderly, and the dog? What are we missing here? And what's next for the helper? The maid who posted the original complaint is now seeking a transfer to another employer, but according to the rules, she will need her current employer's written consent for that. If her employer refuses, her only other option may be to return to her home country. It's a difficult spot to be in — stuck between abuse and bureaucracy. Still, her resilience shines through. She didn't insult. She didn't threaten. She simply told her story and said: I hope I can find a good boss. And perhaps there's one out there reading this who's thinking: 'I'll give her that chance.' What to do if you're a helper facing abuse in Singapore Helpers who feel mistreated should first attempt to resolve the matter calmly with their employer. If this fails, we encourage you to: In a nation built on discipline, order, and hard work, it's easy to overlook the silent engines keeping our households running. But behind the mop and the rice cooker is a person, not a thing. One who wakes up before us. Sleeps after us. And — sometimes — cries in silence. So maybe it's about time we listened. In other news, a Facebook post that quickly stirred emotions in Singapore's online domestic helper community, one foreign domestic worker shared a jaw-dropping tale of life inside a household that has five helpers, and still, according to her, nothing is ever right. 'My lady employer has five helpers. For many months, everything we do, she sees as wrong. Always demanding — do this, do that,' the helper wrote in the Direct Hire Transfer Singapore Maid / Domestic Helper Facebook group. 'She is only thinking of the salary she's giving us and not our service to her family. Should I leave?' she asked for advice from other helpers and employers alike. You can read her full story here: Maid says her employer has '5 helpers, but still complains that all the work done is wrong and that she's feeding us too much'
Malay Mail
02-07-2025
- Malay Mail
Singapore jails Filipino maid for aiding scam syndicate that targeted older women
SINGAPORE, July 2 — A Filipino domestic worker here was sentenced to 40 days' jail for unknowingly helping transfer scam proceeds totalling over S$116,000 (RM383,000) to a Thai bank account. The helper, Galvez Mary Joe Blanco, 36, pleaded guilty to one charge of transferring S$116,154.51 from her POSB account to a Kasikornbank account in May 2024, Channel News Asia reported. She carried out the transfer as a favour to another maid, 57-year-old Filipino Maria Luz Suerte Lopez, who had been duped by a man she met on TikTok. Maria had begun chatting daily with someone calling himself Alex Stillinger, who claimed to be a member of the United States Army and sought her help to receive money from supposed gold investments. As Maria did not have a bank account, she asked Galvez to use hers, promising her a small token for each transaction. Between May 15 and May 29 last year, a total of S$118,133 was transferred into Galvez's account, of which about S$116,000 was forwarded to a Thai account under the name 'Saichit Jeremiah'. Investigators found that S$20,300 of the funds was directly linked to love scams involving two Singaporean women, aged 61 and 70. The 70-year-old had been tricked into transferring S$108,500, though only a small portion passed through Galvez's account while the rest went elsewhere. Galvez was arrested in October 2024 and handed over S$1,151.50 — what she earned from the arrangement — but no other money was recovered. While the prosecution argued for up to six-and-a-half months' jail due to her role in facilitating scams, Galvez has appealed her sentence and remains out on bail pending the hearing.
