There has been an alarming increase in the number of cases regarding trouble incurred by foreign domestic helpers. Since the beginning of this year, there were cases where the domestic helper threw a baby down from the fifteenth floor, killed two children under her care, abused her ward, falsely accused her employers of ill-treating her and running away without a trace.
Some wonder why do these domestic helpers go to such lengths to gain attention? The trouble is that most of them come here in search of a better life, leaving all their poverty and family behind. Some of them were under-aged when they came. Still a child, homesick and not receiving much education, is it any wonder why some of these workers behave in such childish ways? Although it is still intolerable if an innocent life was killed just because the poor worker could not understand what the employer was saying or had no avenues to vent out her frustrations.
The public kept pointing fingers at these foreign domestic helpers, murmuring the cruelty of their actions. However, are employers totally not at fault? If employers can treat these helpers better in the first place, then perhaps none of these would have happened. These girls left their homes at such a young age and came all the way to help us out. For the type of work they do, they are already so poorly paid, yet some still had to put up with abuse and being blamed for everything.
Some employers I know make their workers wake up at 5:00am in the morning and work all the way until midnight before she can sleep. She cannot eat the food of the family, only the leftovers. That is really abuse! I came across another family at a restaurant where the poor worker (such a young and pretty one at that) had to carry the baby standing up, while the couple was enjoying a big meal with a friend. It was only after the friend expressed her pity for the worker before she was allowed to sit down at the table. Ridiculous behaviour! And there were cases where employers beat up their workers too!
Although I must admit not all the “poor young girls” are angels, judging from their actions, the employers must also examine their own attitude and behaviour towards these girls. If you are kind to them, I believe their attitude will also change. For my family, we have a domestic worker since I cannot-remember-when, but so far we have never ill-treated any of them. They are considered part of the family. Our domestic helper has to wake up at 6:00 am to prepare breakfast because that is the time when my brother gets ready for school. However, after dinner, she is free. She gets to rest at 8:30pm almost everyday, and as and when she finishes her work during the day, she can do whatever she likes. Our helpers have never once complained about us. Although I always have to remind my brother not to scream at her but talk to her respectfully as she is also a human, not someone he can kick around. If I ever get a domestic helper in the future, I will make sure she is very well-treated as well by my family.
Some wonder why do these domestic helpers go to such lengths to gain attention? The trouble is that most of them come here in search of a better life, leaving all their poverty and family behind. Some of them were under-aged when they came. Still a child, homesick and not receiving much education, is it any wonder why some of these workers behave in such childish ways? Although it is still intolerable if an innocent life was killed just because the poor worker could not understand what the employer was saying or had no avenues to vent out her frustrations.
The public kept pointing fingers at these foreign domestic helpers, murmuring the cruelty of their actions. However, are employers totally not at fault? If employers can treat these helpers better in the first place, then perhaps none of these would have happened. These girls left their homes at such a young age and came all the way to help us out. For the type of work they do, they are already so poorly paid, yet some still had to put up with abuse and being blamed for everything.
Some employers I know make their workers wake up at 5:00am in the morning and work all the way until midnight before she can sleep. She cannot eat the food of the family, only the leftovers. That is really abuse! I came across another family at a restaurant where the poor worker (such a young and pretty one at that) had to carry the baby standing up, while the couple was enjoying a big meal with a friend. It was only after the friend expressed her pity for the worker before she was allowed to sit down at the table. Ridiculous behaviour! And there were cases where employers beat up their workers too!
Although I must admit not all the “poor young girls” are angels, judging from their actions, the employers must also examine their own attitude and behaviour towards these girls. If you are kind to them, I believe their attitude will also change. For my family, we have a domestic worker since I cannot-remember-when, but so far we have never ill-treated any of them. They are considered part of the family. Our domestic helper has to wake up at 6:00 am to prepare breakfast because that is the time when my brother gets ready for school. However, after dinner, she is free. She gets to rest at 8:30pm almost everyday, and as and when she finishes her work during the day, she can do whatever she likes. Our helpers have never once complained about us. Although I always have to remind my brother not to scream at her but talk to her respectfully as she is also a human, not someone he can kick around. If I ever get a domestic helper in the future, I will make sure she is very well-treated as well by my family.
2 comments:
I have domestic helpers back home, and my parents usually sponsor some education.
One learnt hairdressing, and is now happily married elsewhere (she sent photos of her kids).
The current one is going to a JC equivalent. (I think she should have graduated by now)
YOur parents are really good! When one of our domestic helpers wanted to take up courses, my mum will give her more off days to fit her class schedule, but she sponsored her own fees though.
Post a Comment