Addressing Domestic Helper Abuse in Singapore

Around 60 percent of foreign domestic workers in Singapore are exploited by their employers, according to a 2017 survey. The study said the abuse comes in various forms ranging from verbal threats and being overworked to being beaten or deprived of food.

This is aligned to a recent 2019 survey by YouGov which found that one in seven Singaporeans reported personally witnessing a domestic worker being abused.

The number of reported abuse cases in Singapore has indeed been increasing rapidly. There were a total of 26 maid abuse cases filed in 2015. This is nearly double the 14 filed in 2012. You can read some of the horrible stories here.

One of the most serious case of abuse would be that of Ms Thelma Oyasan Gawidan from the Philippines in 2015.

Her Singaporean employers – Lim Choon Hong and his wife Chong Sui Foon – deprived her of food. The only food they provided for her was instant noodles and plain bread twice a day. As a result, her weight dropped dramatically from 49kg to 29kg!

Lim was jailed for three weeks and fined S$10,000, while Chong was jailed for three months.

The case has horrified and outraged Singaporeans, with many on Monday commenting online that the sentences were too lenient.

What the domestic worker in this case endured is nothing short of horrifying. It’s a tragic reminder of how vulnerable individuals can be subjected to unimaginable suffering. Such acts should be seen as torture, illegal imprisonment, or even attempted murder.

I believe the focus should be on addressing the systemic issues. If we are truly outraged by incidents like these, we should channel that energy into advocating for rights for migrant workers.

Some friends from other countries, after hearing about such cases in the news, have asked me why these incidents seem so common in Singapore. These conversations have prompted me to reflect deeply on this issue.

This entry is my attempt to share personal thoughts on why domestic worker abuse continues to occur in our society.

My hope is that it fosters a conversation rooted in compassion and action, so we can create a fairer and safer environment for everyone.

1. Judging a person’s worth based on social status

One of the unfortunate truths in Singapore is that people are often judged by how much they earn or their status in society. A lawyer, pilot, doctor, or CEO is typically treated with far more respect than a security guard or road sweeper.

Of course, this isn’t true for everyone, but it’s a mindset that many hold, consciously or unconsciously.

Psychologists suggest that societal values and beliefs can shape bullying behavior. For example, in schools that place high importance on sports, kids who aren’t athletic may be bullied for not meeting those expectations. In Singapore, where wealth and status are highly valued, this often translates to the way we view domestic workers and other lower-income groups.

Many Singaporeans also carry the belief that being poor is entirely one’s own fault. This idea is often ingrained in us from a young age, with parents and teachers warning: “If you don’t study hard, you’ll end up as a cleaner.”

However, this ignores the reality faced by many who did not grow up with the right circumstances. For example, deomestic helpers or our pioneer generation, who worked incredibly hard yet ended up in low-wage jobs due to systemic disadvantages—not personal failings.

This wealth narrative can create a sense of superiority, causing some Singaporeans to look down on foreign workers, to the point of dehumanizing them. As District Judge Christopher Goh poignantly noted in a recent case, “You treated the victim as chattel rather than a fellow human being.”

It’s painful to acknowledge these issues, but reflection is the first step toward change. We need to recognize the inherent dignity in every person, regardless of their job or income, and work toward a society that values all contributions equally.

Only then can we truly create a more compassionate and inclusive Singapore.

2. Hierachical Society

Singapore is a country with a high power distance culture, where authority figures like bosses are often placed on a pedestal.

Challenging their views or expecting them to act respectfully is sometimes seen as being “entitled.” This dynamic discourages open communication and can create environments where abusive behavior goes unchecked.

It’s heartbreaking but not surprising that workplace abuse in Singapore ranks among the highest globally.

High power distance cultures, as measured by the Power Distance Index, often see more frequent abuse cases—whether in workplaces or in households. For example:

Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates score 80.
Singapore scores 74.
Hong Kong scores 68.

This cultural mindset can spill into how some employers treat their domestic helpers. The belief that paying someone’s salary gives you unrestricted power over them is disturbingly common.

In the recent case of Khairani Abdul Rahman and Rosman Anwar, they slapped their helper for mistakes and told her:

“We have the right to slap your face, push your head, and scold you, because we are paying your salary.”

These stories highlight the urgent need to address the systemic power imbalance in Singapore’s workplaces and homes. Respect and basic decency should never be contingent on someone’s job title, income, or role.

A truly compassionate society is one where every individual is treated with dignity, regardless of their position or background.

It’s a tough conversation, but one that we need to have if we want to create a culture that values humanity above hierarchy.

3. High pressure society

Singapore is often ranked as one of the most stressful and unhappy countries globally. Surveys from STJobs.sg found that only 1 in 10 Singaporeans feels free from stress, and a study by Ipsos APAC and Toluna revealed that Singapore is the second least happy country in Asia Pacific, with nearly 1 in 4 respondents reporting unhappiness.

Psychologists suggest that unhappy and insecure people are more likely to become abusive. When faced with unaddressed negative emotions, some individuals may channel their frustrations into harmful behavior.

Unfortunately, domestic helpers often bear the brunt of this, becoming convenient targets for abuse due to several factors:

  • Power imbalance: Employers may see their helpers as inferior.
  • Economic dependency: Many domestic helpers desperately need their jobs to support their families and are unlikely to leave, even in the face of abuse.
  • Social isolation: Without friends or relatives nearby, they often have no one to turn to for help.
  • Fear of consequences: Helpers worry about the repercussions of speaking out—whether it’s losing their job, retaliation, or being ostracized for exposing the abuse.

These fears mean that the abuse cases we see in the news are likely just the tip of the iceberg.

As Tam Peck Hoon, advocacy head at the Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics (HOME), points out, “Not all abuse is tangible. We’re talking about psychological abuse, coercion, threat of sending them home.”

A 2015 study by HOME found that more than half of domestic helpers in Singapore experienced verbal abuse, and 25% suffered from poor mental health.

The situation may worsen if left unaddressed. As of 2019, 1 in 5 Singaporean households employs a domestic helper—up from 1 in 13 in 1990. With rising reliance on domestic helpers, there is an urgent need to foster a culture of respect and protection for them.

It’s crucial for us to reflect on how societal stress and unhappiness might contribute to this issue and take meaningful steps to address it. By creating a kinder and more supportive environment, we can prevent abuse and ensure that domestic helpers, who contribute so much to our daily lives, are treated with dignity and compassion.

How can you help?

Domestic helpers have played an indispensable role in Singapore’s growth and prosperity. By taking on caregiving and household responsibilities at low costs, they have enabled many families to join or remain in the workforce, driving our economy forward.

Their contributions often go unacknowledged, yet their impact is deeply woven into the fabric of our society.

It’s disheartening to see how some people feel superior to others simply because of wealth or privilege.

The truth is, the biggest difference between us and them is the circumstances of birth. Opportunities are often determined by where you were born, not by your worth or effort.

Imagine being in their position—leaving your own family behind to care for someone else’s, often for minimal pay and under challenging conditions. Would you want to be treated with disrespect or dehumanized?

Every person, regardless of their job or background, deserves kindness, dignity, and fairness.

If you’re moved to make a difference, there are organizations in Singapore doing incredible work to support domestic helpers and migrant workers:

  • HOME Singapore: This organization helps migrant workers who face abuse, exploitation, and other challenges. They provide shelters, legal assistance, vocational training, and more. You can support their efforts by donating or volunteering through their Giving.sg page.
  • Transient Workers Count 2 (TWC2): TWC2 supports low-wage migrant workers who have been injured, unpaid, or abused. They provide vital assistance, from offering meals to advocating for better policies, and ensure these workers aren’t abandoned when they need help the most. Donate here.

By volunteering, donating, or simply spreading awareness, we can contribute to a kinder and more inclusive Singapore.

Let’s honor the hard work and sacrifices of domestic helpers and migrant workers by treating them with the respect they deserve and working towards a society that values every individual equally.