‘They won't even let me wear shorts’: Maid says some employers want total control
SINGAPORE: As more families rely on domestic helpers to keep their households running, particularly parents juggling multiple jobs or overnight shifts to make ends meet, questions are emerging over how much control employers should have over their helpers' lives. Does hiring someone give an employer ownership over them? And where should the line be drawn? That question sparked fresh debate online…
In Singapore, domestic helpers have become a vital resource for families, particularly those with dual incomes or long working hours. As the reliance on these helpers grows, so do concerns over the extent of control employers should have over their workers' lives. A recent post on the Complaint Singapore Facebook group highlighted one maid's account of extreme micromanagement by her employer.
The helper claimed she was restricted from wearing shorts, speaking to another colleague outside the home, using her phone during breaks, and working continuously from 6 AM to 8 PM, only granted one day off per month. The maid's post drew a chorus of similar stories from other helpers who have faced mistreatment at the hands of their employers.
One helper recounted being criticized for wearing shorts similar to her employer's daughter, while another described a punishing schedule of 5 hours of work followed by a mere 5 hours of sleep. Some helpers also recounted restrictions on personal grooming, such as hair length and makeup use. These accounts have sparked a debate about the boundaries between employer oversight and employee autonomy.
While some readers encouraged the helpers to seek legal recourse, the issue of excessive control by employers remains a sensitive and troubling one for many domestic workers in Singapore.
Written by urgent.news from The Independent Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
