Must maids suffer in silence?

Physical abuse often leaves tell-tale signs and even a cursory examination by a doctor would confirm it. For example, Maria (not her real name) was physically abused by her employer because she bought the wrong bread! Madam slapped the maid, pushed her hard against the wall and left scratch marks on her neck. The employer might have got away with it had she not driven the maid out of the house, as if she had done something so terrible.

So Maria, not knowing where to go or what she could do because she was still very new in Singapore, even though she was ex-Singapore, cried as she wandered aimlessly in the condo compound until the security guard spotted her. She should have known that in Singapore maid abuse is a serious offence and she could have gone straight to the nearest police station. Perhaps she was too upset to think straight, perhaps she had no money for taxi fare. So she asked the security guard for use of the phone to call another FDW, her own cousin Jane.

Maria cried as she told Jane what happened and Jane, unable to offer advice, also broke down and cried. When Jane's employer found out what happened, he straightaway called the police. To cut a long story short, the employer was found guilty of maid abuse and sentenced to 2 months imprisonment.

If the Employer had not actually driven Maria out of the house, she might have got away with the crime, for a while at least. And Maria would be abused many more times before the truth finally emerged. (One Indonesian maid suffered for 9 months and finally died.) Many FDWs put up with abuses because they do not want to cause any trouble - not only for their abusers, but also for themselves. Sometimes they do not report (and also do not want someone else to report) because they are afraid.

Maria she was jobless for a few months because prospective employers do not want the inconvenience of having to give her time off when required to report to the police officer investigating the case or to attend court.

It is not going too far to say that for every reported case, there many more which go unreported because the FDW does not want to "make trouble". Sometimes, there are abuses but no tell-tale signs. If the FDW files a report or seeks the assistance of her embassy, she might be taking a chance that the doctor examining her may conclude that there is no evidence abuse has taken place. Then what the maid fears will come true: her employer will cancel her work permit and send her home.

However, just because an abuse leaves no visible mark, does not automatically give the abuser immunity from prosecution. Not if there is a continual process of abuse, such as when the employer shouts at her, slaps her for being slow to complete a task, then there is a chance that the FDW can convince the judge if she keeps a diary, indicating the date and time of an abuse. If a neighbour comes to know about it, her case would be more credible. Some neighbours only want to "mind their own business" and not get involved. The Indonesian maid died because her neighbour thought it was none of his business that her inhuman employer was abusing her.

But there are others who more civic-minded, who see it as their duty to make a police report when they come to know of an abuse. There are others in between the "kiasu" and the civic-minded. They will not actively make a report, but will give witness in court. For example, on the day a FDW got a slap and the cheek is still red, she could always find some way to let a neighbour see the evidence and later, if the matter goes to court, ask the neighbour to be a witness.

Maria did not report the abuse, her cousin's employer did. What can FDWs do to protect themselves against abuse? I am sure that the harsh punishment meted out by the courts are a deterrent and there would be many, many more abuses otherwise. In the same manner, if more cases are given publicity, the deterrent effect will be even greater. So if an FDW does not want to "make trouble", or if she is ignorant of her rights, it is understandable, but anyone who knows of an abuse should be proactive. In Hong Kong, Indonesians FDWs who are abused but are ignorant of their rights, receive help from their better-informed Filipino counterparts.

Unlike most Indonesian maids, especially first-timers, Filipino FDWs are generally better informed and have a social network whereby they can consult one another. In Hong Kong, Filipinos FDWs help their less-informed Indonesian rivals for jobs, because they face the same problem. In Singapore they can follow the example set by their compatriots in Hong Kong, and help the less-informed - whether they be Indonesians, Filipinos, Sri Lankan or others. After all, "Red or yellow, black of white, all are precious in His sight".

So dear FDW, if you know of an abuse and the victim does not want to "make trouble", will you consider it your duty to file a report? Or will you let the timid ones, like Maria, suffer in silence?

If you were in the same position as Maria, would you suffer in silence or would you wish someone would come to your aid?