Not paid for years. Locked in your home for months. Forced to have sex with your employer. These are the issues millions of Foreign Domestic Workers face in Asia, including many right here in Singapore.
Maria’s* nightmare started with her employer forcing her to have sex whenever he felt like it. He’d come into her room, lock the door and rape her. Then, another family member started doing the same thing. Then another. Before long, Maria was trapped in a life of horrifying sexual abuse. Imagine how hard it’d be to leave as a Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) in Singapore when your employer holds your work visa and all your money.
Eventually, Maria did escape to a local NGO called Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics (HOME). Her employer was found guilty on criminal charges and she was paid $7,000, mostly for outstanding salaries, but the damages did nothing to address her suffering. Worse yet, she had to return to the Philippines as nobody here would hire her – yet another indignity.
Sadly, this type of story is not uncommon, though the circumstances are always different. Recently, the death of an Indonesian maid in Penang grabbed headlines; she reportedly died due to abuse by her employers who also withheld her salary for three years.
Most cases of mistreatment involve chronically underpaying women – even completely withholding pay – essentially locking workers into bondage. Other typical problems include work injuries, poor living conditions, and physical, verbal and psychological abuse.
Denne historien er fra April 2018-utgaven av EL Singapore.
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Denne historien er fra April 2018-utgaven av EL Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Perfect Pearly Whites!
Knowing you have white, sparkling teeth beneath your lips is a sure-fire way to make you smile with confidence. If you've noticed your teeth looking more yellow than "hello" lately, perhaps it's time for a visit to a dental clinic for a teeth-whitening session.
Save your Spine at Work!
Sitting in an air-conditioned office has its benefits in steamy Singapore. But, long, sedentary days can play havoc on our necks and backs. Here, orthopaedic surgeon DR YILUN HUANG talks about spinal issues faced by office workers, and how to treat and prevent them.
Curry, Spice & Everything Nice
Craving a curry? Whether you're dreaming of a creamy korma or a biryani, the EL team went all in, indulging in everything from buttery parathas to tangy papdi chaat. We explored the best of Singapore's Indian dining scene, and trust us-these spots will spice up your life!
Is It Really Backed Up in the Cloud?
SARAH and BO PINEL of Tekkie Help break it to us that cloud storage is not a data backup. Here's why that's the case and how we can rectify the problem.
Finding Eco-Luxury In Fiji
Here's a destination that's often a little bit off the travel radar for people in our region - but definitely shouldn't be!
Festive Fashion Show!
As the year draws to a close, now's a good time to stock up on festive fashion. White Ginger has released a fab new line just in time for party season. Plus, it's hosting a fun multilabel fashion soiree so you can view the looks with tasty bites and a glass of vino in hand!
48 Hours in Patong
CHERRY LAI checks into the sparkling new M Social Hotel Phuket for a weekender full of food, fun and relaxation.
Ticket to Thailand
Are you physically here but mentally on a beach in Thailand? We've found destinations for two types of holiday-goers: one for someone looking for a place to chill, and another where you can also let loose!
Laying Out Memories Through Food
YASMIN, JESSICA and PEARL are the local co-founders of The Plattering Co. They share their favourite parts of doing business with each other and a few of their hobbies outside work hours.
A Musical Community
The new Pops Chorus and Orchestra at Marlborough College Malaysia (MCM) has students, parents, staff and even the Master involved. SIMON BURBURY tells us more - including where you can catch their performances.
