Domestic Helper Allegedly Made To Sleep Outside Toilet, Wear Used Underwear After Arriving In S’pore

Starting a new job in a foreign country is daunting enough without having to worry about where you're going to sleep.

A Facebook user is now seeking help for their friend's younger sister, a migrant domestic worker (MDW) who had apparently been in Singapore for just one day, after raising concerns about her alleged living conditions.

The claims were shared in Facebook group Complaint Singapore and have not been independently verified by 8days.sg.

According to the OP, the helper had been given a thin mat to sleep on outside the bathroom and was allegedly asked to wear second-hand clothing, including used underwear.

A photo accompanying the post shows what appears to be a narrow sleeping area with a thin pink mat, pillow and blanket laid out on the floor.

"Her employer did not provide her with a room. Instead, they are making her sleep on a very thin mat on the floor, right in front of the bathroom. There is no fan either, so she has to sleep with the window open when it gets hot,” wrote the OP.

For context, the OP said the helper knew before coming to Singapore that she would not be given a private bedroom.

But they questioned whether agreeing to that meant the conditions she allegedly encountered were acceptable.

"Even though she agreed during the interview that she would not be provided with a room, is it still acceptable for the employer to treat her in such an inhumane way?" they asked.

According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), employers should provide their MDWs with a separate room where possible.

If that isn't possible, their accommodation must still provide adequate space and privacy.

Employers must also provide basic amenities, including a mattress, pillow and blanket, and ensure the sleeping area is safe, sheltered and sufficiently ventilated.

If natural ventilation is inadequate, mechanical ventilation such as an electric fan should be provided.

And the sleeping arrangement wasn't the only concern raised by the OP.

The helper was also allegedly told to throw away the belongings she had brought with her after arriving in Singapore.

She was then purportedly given second-hand clothes to wear, including someone else's used underwear.

"They are making her wear used underwear that belonged to someone else. Old clothes and trousers would be understandable but asking her to wear someone else's used underwear is very concerning,” the netizen wrote.

It wasn't clear who the underwear allegedly belonged to or why the helper was purportedly being asked to wear it.

The OP also made another allegation involving the helper's personal belongings.

"They also made her throw away everything she brought with her and are keeping only her phone and passport," the netizen wrote.

MOM states that employers should not keep their migrant workers' or MDWs' passports or force them to hand the documents over.

Workers should also have unrestricted access to their passports and personal belongings.

The OP ended by asking what could be done to help the helper.

MDWs who have concerns about their living conditions or privacy can contact MOM for advice and assistance.

8days.sg reached out to MOM, which said it was unable to identify the MDW based on the photos provided in the Reddit and Facebook posts.