With around 300,000 migrant domestic workers in Singapore... It seems like a matter of time before another maid abuse case pops up on the ChannelNewsAsia site.

And Tan Siew Mei's abuse of her Indonesian domestic helper has understandably sparked public outrage. 

The details are appalling - Tan not only physically assaulted the maid by yanking her hair, slapping and punching her, but also hurled de-humanising verbal insults like "you are rubbish" and "you are not human."

Why Maids Come to Singapore

Let's not forget that foreign domestic workers come to Singapore seeking employment to support their families back home. 

As employers, we open our homes and lives to these helpers, entrusting them with responsibilities like caring for our loved ones and households. 

This role of being a caregiver, cleaner, cook and nanny all rolled into one is often under-appreciated despite the tremendous workload involved.

Tensions Inevitable

At the same time, having a stranger residing in our private spaces with so much access and responsibilities can breed tensions, uncertainties and power imbalances on both sides. 

Cultural differences, communication barriers and lack of personal boundaries can easily create misunderstandings and resentment if not managed properly.

No Excuse for Abuse

This doesn't excuse abuse by any means. 

Physical and verbal abuse are unacceptable behaviours that cross a line.

As maid employers, we should treat maids just like how we expect to be treated when we go to work - with basic human compassion, dignity and respect as fellow individuals.

Cultivating Compassion

As fellow human beings, we have the capability to empathize with another's struggles and respond with care and kindness.

This can fundamentally improve interpersonal dynamics. 

For employers, having compassion means trying to understand the immense sacrifices maids make in leaving their families to earn a living abroad. 

It means being appreciative of the hard work they put in caring for your household.

An Employer's Perspective

Searchmaid spoke to Jane Chong, 38, a Singaporean employer who has hired a domestic helper for the last 5 years to get her views:

"What she (Tan) did was completely unacceptable, and shameful to Singapore. There's no justification for physically or verbally abusing another human being like that. As employers, we have to remember that our maids have left their families behind to come work for us. The least we can do is treat them with respect and compassion."

"My helper Maria is almost like part of my family. Yes, we've had miscommunications and difficulties at times. But I always try to have an open dialogue with her and we resolve any issues calmly. At the end of the day, we're all just trying to do our jobs and lead decent lives."

A Fair Working Relationship

Domestic work is legitimate labor, and workers deserve to be compensated fairly with days off, humane working hours, and freedom from exploitation or harm. 

But they are also guests in our homes expected to conduct themselves professionally. 

The key is open communication to build mutual understanding.

The Ideal Solution

The crux lies in fostering open communication and clear contractual terms from the get-go through proper channels. 

This is where online maid platforms like SearchMaid can play a key role in facilitating transparent maid hiring processes for mutual benefit. 

Our maid agencies have comprehensive employment contracts that clearly spell out expectations, duties and rights for both parties prevent misunderstandings down the road.

Wake-Up Call

Tan Siew Mei's actions were reprehensible and she rightly faces consequences. 

But her case should also serve as a wake-up call for all employers to pause and reflect on how we treat domestic helpers. 

A harmonious working relationship with empathy and compassion on both sides is the ideal to strive towards.

Use SearchMaid - Singapore’s favorite maid portal

If you're looking to hire a maid, consider using SearchMaid's maid listings from over 200+ registered Singapore maid agencies to find your ideal helper match and establish proper working terms from the start. 

A compassionate approach that respects boundaries and rights will go a long way in preventing unfortunate incidents of maid abuse. 

After all, a positive employer-maid relationship built on open communication and mutual understanding benefits everyone.

Source: The article from ChannelNewsAsia