All About Full-Time Maids

[st2]

My relative’s maid was caught stealing, 3 different currencies found in her clothes. 2 currencies are not common currencies. My relatives just came back from these countries. When the police were called in, she turned around and told the police that she was abused.


When abuse is mentioned, the police took her away immediately and everything stands still, no employing another maid for you. Investigations take months. In the end, cleared of abuse they were asked if they wanted to take action on the maid if not, buy her a ticket to send her home. She stole a total of 1K plus, my relatives were so sick of her and disgusted that it was easy for her to accuse them of abuse. They just did not want to let keep her ‘vacation’, so they immediately sent her home, otherwise, waiting to go to court will take months and they feel they have to relive all this unpleasantness and anger.

[ashana]

anyhowsay1:

Unless the maids are spiteful and malicious, many maids I believe would not wilfully lie and incriminate their employers of abuse if they have been treated fairly. Many of them have simple objectives ie go home or change employers but they see no way to break their contract. I really believe that there are people out there who are coaching these maids to tell lies, incriminate their employers in the belief they are 'helping' these poor under-dogs or just using the maids to further their agendas and gain fame/reputation.

I believe likewise too. They think too simply and too self-centeredly. It is very similar to why and how they end up here. A single thought, single motive, and follow action to get what they want without considering the consequences and the impact on others and themselves. These are the people who will be swayed and influenced very easily. These are the ones who need hand-holding and being managed like an over-aged kid. How many of the families in Singapore can fit in such arrangement? The workplace will be similar to walking on mine fields for the initial months. This is the period that makes or breaks the helper and family. They don't understand what it takes for the family to hire them and why they are needed in the family. If the helper holds any grudges, any Tom, Dick and Harry gives them a smile, stand by them, throw them an idea and they will act accordingly.

Having domestic helper will never work out effectively, efficiently and harmoniously when the agents are irresponsible and unethical. Instead of banning FDWs, we should ban agencies. :stompfeet:

anyhowsay1:

The maids know all these tricks. It's time we employers know some tricks too, don't you think so?

How?

[ashana]

st2:

My relative's maid was caught stealing, 3 different currencies found in her clothes. 2 currencies are not common currencies. My relatives just came back from these countries. When the police were called in, she turned around and told the police that she was abused.


When abuse is mentioned, the police took her away immediately and everything stands still, no employing another maid for you. Investigations take months. In the end, cleared of abuse they were asked if they wanted to take action on the maid if not, buy her a ticket to send her home. She stole a total of 1K plus, my relatives were so sick of her and disgusted that it was easy for her to accuse them of abuse. They just did not want to let keep her 'vacation', so they immediately sent her home, otherwise, waiting to go to court will take months and they feel they have to relive all this unpleasantness and anger.

That is good riddance. Stealing at workplace can never be condoned regardless how remorseful the person is. It is especially so when the workplace lives your family members. Lying and stealing goes hand in hand most of the time.

[ashana]

st2:

I think MOM should stop transfers and make it compulsory for ex sin maid to have reference letters with direct employer's contact.

\"Ex Sin\" it is so apt... sinned before

[anyhowsay1]

ashana:

anyhowsay1:

The maids know all these tricks. It's time we employers know some tricks too, don't you think so?

How?

When a maid wants to get her employer into trouble/break contract for other opportunities/go home, her testimony will always focus on her poor well-being and poor treatment of her welfare while living with the employer. For example, lack of sleep, lack of food, she is depressed because the employer scolded her or caused her to be so frightened. All these may not be true or perhaps contain only a small grain of truth exaggerated many folds so that they sounded very dire. Since the maid is considered a vulnerable group, the first reaction is always to protect her. This is because the well-being, mental stability and welfare of a person is important to our humanitarian government.

In defence, it is usual for the employer to complain about what the maid did eg told lies, stole money, misbehaved, negligent, etc...But in the mind of MOM officers, so what the maid told lies, stole, misbehaved etc..They still don't see how anyone is affected by the actions of the maid. Just send her home if you are not happy...

However, if the employer can show beyond reasonable doubt that the vulnerable group in her family ie the little children, the aged parents (the Pioneers!!), the family stability are affected by the actions of the maid (eg children's safety and security are threatened, aged parents' mental stability affected,
employer's job is affected because problems at home has affected performance at the workplace) etc..then the employer's arguments takes on a different slant.

When the welfare/safety/security/stability of Singaporeans (children, Pioneers) are threatened, government should do something. If they don't, then they will attract criticisms for protecting foreigners BETTER THAN own people. (this is why govt now scale back the subsidies given to foreigners and PRs in health and education sectors to show that Singaporeans matter more).

If your maid can be devious and scheming, why can't we clever singaporeans turn the tables on them?

Problem is, many of us cannot be bothered with all the trouble of having to prove someone wrong, and take the easier route of transfering the maid or send her home. What money can do, let money do the work. No need to think.

[hopes]

anyhowsay1:

ashana:

[quote=\"anyhowsay1\"]The maids know all these tricks. It's time we employers know some tricks too, don't you think so?

How?

When a maid wants to get her employer into trouble/break contract for other opportunities/go home, her testimony will always focus on her poor well-being and poor treatment of her welfare while living with the employer. For example, lack of sleep, lack of food, she is depressed because the employer scolded her or caused her to be so frightened. All these may not be true or perhaps contain only a small grain of truth exaggerated many folds so that they sounded very dire. Since the maid is considered a vulnerable group, the first reaction is always to protect her. This is because the well-being, mental stability and welfare of a person is important to our humanitarian government.

In defence, it is usual for the employer to complain about what the maid did eg told lies, stole money, misbehaved, negligent, etc...But in the mind of MOM officers, so what the maid told lies, stole, misbehaved etc..They still don't see how anyone is affected by the actions of the maid. Just send her home if you are not happy...

However, if the employer can show beyond reasonable doubt that the vulnerable group in her family ie the little children, the aged parents (the Pioneers!!), the family stability are affected by the actions of the maid (eg children's safety and security are threatened, aged parents' mental stability affected,
employer's job is affected because problems at home has affected performance at the workplace) etc..then the employer's arguments takes on a different slant.

When the welfare/safety/security/stability of Singaporeans (children, Pioneers) are threatened, government should do something. If they don't, then they will attract criticisms for protecting foreigners BETTER THAN own people. (this is why govt now scale back the subsidies given to foreigners and PRs in health and education sectors to show that Singaporeans matter more).

If your maid can be devious and scheming, why can't we clever singaporeans turn the tables on them?

Problem is, many of us cannot be bothered with all the trouble of having to prove someone wrong, and take the easier route of transfering the maid or send her home. What money can do, let money do the work. No need to think.[/quote]Dear anyhowsay1,

Can share how ? Do you have the exact organisation (pls no foreigner control NGO) and number to call for help?

Not my current maid is not working fine, since I ever face a sudden acting crazy maid, I want to prepare myself to protect my family.

Thanks.

[EA_Happy]

Foreigners have Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics: HOME

How about local employers who hiring maid? Went to this website, the video clip pops out with title ‘Respect our right’. How about the employers, how about the one who paid and trained them? Where is our right when maids abusing our mental and our kids? Employers need to compile a full set of evidence, such as by installing of CCTV so that can record and playback, with clear vision to show, then this case only able to bring up to be judged.

I’m wondering, do we really have a shelter for all maids’ employers? At least there is a place for us to make a report for all sort of maids incident. MOM will not be attending to you if your maid did not do any big crime.

After all reports have been recorded, quarterly send it to MOM and ask them to review. They can make a statistic on how many percent of employers suffering from mental health, money, abusing case etc. It will be good too, if this publish to the public and make all maids aware that employers are having the same treatment from the government as well.

[hopes]

EA_Happy:

Foreigners have Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics: HOME

How about local employers who hiring maid? Went to this website, the video clip pops out with title 'Respect our right'. How about the employers, how about the one who paid and trained them? Where is our right when maids abusing our mental and our kids? Employers need to compile a full set of evidence, such as by installing of CCTV so that can record and playback, with clear vision to show, then this case only able to bring up to be judged.

I'm wondering, do we really have a shelter for all maids' employers? At least there is a place for us to make a report for all sort of maids incident. MOM will not be attending to you if your maid did not do any big crime.

After all reports have been recorded, quarterly send it to MOM and ask them to review. They can make a statistic on how many percent of employers suffering from mental health, money, abusing case etc. It will be good too, if this publish to the public and make all maids aware that employers are having the same treatment from the government as well.

I will definately join.

[anyhowsay1]

hopes:

anyhowsay1:

Problem is, many of us cannot be bothered with all the trouble of having to prove someone wrong, and take the easier route of transfering the maid or send her home. What money can do, let money do the work. No need to think.

Dear anyhowsay1,

Can share how ? Do you have the exact organisation (pls no foreigner control NGO) and number to call for help?

Dear hopes,

Sorry to disappoint you but the only organisation I know of is CASE. Also MOM can actually help you though I must say that the officers can be sickeningly unhelpful sometimes unless you make threats to complain about them to the big bosses. Can consider seeing MPs and lawyers if something happens. What I am trying to say is that there is no Humanitarian organisation for employers, who can think for you, and champion your rights and seek redress for your hurts, if that is what you mean. WE don't need protection in that sense. We have the financial means to engage a lawyer to fight our case, advice us, and we can also go to CASE, or MOM for help and advice.

What i am actually saying is that it is a pity that many employers don't really want to trouble themselves with having to bring errant maids to task ie charge them. Prefer to send bad maids home or transfer because it is an easier route that don't require much effort on the part of the employer. This means that whatever the charges the maid brought against the employer is still unconcluded eventhough employer may not end up being charged. So this sends a signal to the maids that employers cannot do anything about the situation except to just give in and send them home / transfer them which is what they really want. There is no negative consequences for the maids thats why many of them are trying all sorts of tricks.

No choice, still must gather evidence, fight your own fight and fight it well.

[zbear]

I can see that everyone is having a lot of frustrations with MOM. I know becos my late mum also had similar probs with MOM.


Is it possible to escalate complaint to the senior officers or even threaten to bring up to the Minister of MOM? New cabinet lineup not announced yet so don’t know who is the Minister.