Mistreatment of a domestic worker by an employer

Maid abuse is the maltreatment or neglect of a person hired as a domestic worker, especially by the employer or by a household member of the employer. It is any act or failure to act that results in harm to that employee. It takes on numerous forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse. The majority of perpetrators tend to be female employers and their children. These acts may be committed for a variety of reasons, including to instil fear in the victim, discipline them, or act in a way desired by the abuser.

The United States Human Trafficking Hotline describes maid abuse as a form of human trafficking— it is "force, fraud, or coercion to maintain control over the worker and to cause the worker to believe that he or she has no other choice but to continue with the work," they stated. Although it can occur anywhere, it is most commonly experienced amongst domestic workers in Singapore.

Prevalence

Maid abuse, though a global phenomenon, is especially prevalent in Singapore. According to a study by Research Across Borders, six out of ten Singaporean domestic workers experience some form of abuse at work. One in four reported physical violence. Additionally, one in seven Singaporeans have witnessed maid abuse.

Foreign domestic workers, who have come to the country seeking employment, are at high risk of abuse. As maids are the only migrant workers not protected under the country's Singapore's Employment Act, many end up in abusive situations. This is amplified due to the fact that foreign domestic worker contracts in Singapore lack live-out options; foreign maids reside in the same residence as their employers. Mistreatment of Singaporean foreign domestic workers is not uncommon and is widely detailed. They are subject to physical abuse, invasion of privacy, and sexual assault (including rape).

Legislation

Singapore

In Singapore, it is against the law to abuse a foreign domestic worker. The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) says that perpetrators face severe penalties; if convicted, the perpetrator may face prison time, caning, or be fined as much as $20,000 (USD). The perpetrator will also be banned from further employment of foreign domestic workers.

Malaysia

In Malaysia, abused foreign domestic workers can obtain visas so that they may stay in the country to pursue legal complaints; the same is true in the United States.

Notable cases