Maids in Singapore

Hi people of the above,

Recently, My maid was arrested for stealing jewelry worth of $5000 and after interrogating her she admitted her crime. The police came and soon after I never heard a word about that event.

Before the event took place, she started to have bad attitudes and laziness was observed. For example, When told her to complete a simple task, she would say that she was tired and when called for her, she would be either sleeping or in the toilet. Last time, she would do everything almost perfectly and very hardworking. But then I think that everything changed when she got hold of a phone and started making phone calls back to her brothers in her home town of Java. I am not sure why but after that call, she called again and again day by day and that was when her attitude towards work changed. My parents tolerated for a long time, her bad attitude that is and it caused my parents to be easily angry.

I feel that it is very difficult to have the courage to become a maid to earn money for your family. Imagine that you would not be able to see your family for a minimum of three years, it would feel like forcefully separating mother and daughter. Also, you would be in a place you have never been before and living under a roof of people you have never seen before. There had been cases where the owners abuse their maid by resulting in physically hitting her. The maids have to overcome the fear of that happening to her. There are some cases where maids undergo too much pressure, stress and sadness that they just commit suicide.

In my case, only my grandparents really understand them. During times when my parents attack her by scolding her, if my grandparents are there, they would definitely come to the defence of her. Sometimes, my grandparents even reward her for cleaning the car.

I feel that we as employees should really understand maids more. After all, they are humans instead of machines or robots. They have fatigue and feelings. Even the prime minister sees this as a problem and issued a law where by the maid must have at least one day off and proper accommodations. When maids get out of hand and have a change in mind, we should maybe have a proper talk of her, instead of immediately scolding her and this will only promote more hatred between the two. This would not solve anything.

When we have maids, we should take time to understand them more and befriend them, making them feel more at home. This will not only foster a greater relationship between the employee and the maid, this may make the maid feel more at home and work harder. When a person feels happy, he or she would feel more happy to work. Everything is well when a person feels no pressure.

Humble questions for the young mind: What suggestions do you have to have the maids feel more welcomed in Singapore? Or what would you do if you were the employee? Please post your thoughts in the comment box. Thanks!!!