SINGAPORE: A maid's heart-wrenching revelation on social media has shed light on the grueling expectations some domestic helpers face in Singapore.

In a poignant post on the Facebook group ‘MDW in Singapore’, she shared how her employer makes her complete an exhausting list of chores before she can step out on her designated day off, which begins at 9:30 am. Returning home by 6:30 pm means her break is short-lived, as she is expected to dive right back into work.

Daunting Pre-exit Responsibilities

Her pre-exit responsibilities are daunting; tasks include cleaning the car, tidying up the garden, mopping floors by hand, dusting surfaces, and washing any dishes left behind. Furthermore, she handles laundry, often resorting to handwashing clothes when necessary.

Heavy Workload After Returning

Upon returning, her workload doesn’t lighten. Although dinner is taken care of by her employer, she is still required to wash a pile of dishes, scrubs two toilets, make the beds, and check the bins to ensure they are clean. She lamented, “There are times when they bake, and I end up working until the early hours, sometimes 12 to 1:30 am.”

Struggles of Speaking Up

The maid expressed how difficult it was for her to speak up about these issues. Despite being grateful that her employers never voiced complaints about her performance, the recent request for her to cook dinner on her day off was the tipping point, leaving her feeling undervalued and emotionally distressed.

Seeking Advice from Netizens

She opened up to fellow group members, asking for advice: “After ten years in this line of work, this is the first I'm facing a situation like this. Am I being unreasonable? I want to maintain a good record but also need to feel respected.”

Support from the Community

Netizens rallied to support her, with many encouraging her to assert her rights and set clear boundaries. “If you have to work, then it’s not a day off,” one commenter stated, emphasizing the importance of mental health and well-being.

Ministry of Manpower's Stance

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in Singapore backs these claims, stipulating that domestic helpers are entitled to one day of rest per week. Employers are required to negotiate this day with their helpers, ensuring it's a full day or permissible split into two half days.

Exceptions and Obligations of Employers

While there can be exceptions—like caring for elderly family members—employers are obligated to compensate helpers if they require them to work on their off days. This policy aims to ensure that helpers receive necessary downtime, which is essential for their overall health and job satisfaction.

A Call to Action