A group of unsung heroes lives in Singapore. They look after our children, walk our dogs, wash our cars and take care of our homes. DEBORAH GOLDMAN has their story.

By Deborah Goldman
Issue 75 - October 2008

Foreign domestic helpers, commonly called maids, are an integral part of Singaporean society. They play a vital role in a thriving economy, often looking after children so that parents are able to work.

Maria is from the Philippines but has been working as a domestic helper in Singapore for almost 20 years. We had a conversation at her current employer’s home, where she spoke candidly about her life.

Originating from the small province of Luzon, near Manila, Maria has one son, Edgar, who is 24 and works in IT. When she first came to Singapore, her then-husband stayed to look after him, and Maria sent them money each month. However, since Edgar is now able to support himself, she now puts most of her wages toward building herself a house in Luzon. Being away from family is difficult; however, Maria says that she has been here for so long that she is used it. “In Luzon we are poor people and many of us find work abroad because the pay is better.”

During her first 14 years in Singapore, Maria worked for a Chinese family, who she says treated her well. “They were very good to me, but I didn’t have as much freedom as I do now,” she remarks. Now working for an Australian couple, her primary role is looking after the family’s dog and two cats. “When I started I didn’t know much about animals, but now I love them and they love me.” Right on cue, Lily the cat meandered into the room and headed straight for Maria.

She has a good relationship with her current employers, and Maria believes that the key to a harmonious household is good communication. “I am able to talk openly with them about anything,” she says. “You have to earn people’s trust and respect, but it’s a two-way thing – we respect each other.”

Maria was introduced to the family by 121 Personnel Services, an agency that specialises in placements with expatriate families. “They were very helpful and asked me what kind of family and what type of work I preferred. Should I have been unhappy at any point during my first month with the family, they would have found me another employer at no additional cost,” she says.

Maria says that she is one of the lucky ones. “I know of maids who aren’t allowed to go out, and even some who aren’t given enough to eat.” She explains that this is an issue faced by new maids in particular. “Some of the girls arrive here and are very timid; people exploit them.”

Maria left Singapore in 1999 and returned to the Philippines to start several businesses of her own. When these ventures failed, she had little choice but to return to Singapore and resume work as a maid. “It’s a hard life for us, but Filipinos are fun-loving people and we also know how to enjoy ourselves.”

Maria feels that she has a good life in Singapore and that it has become home for her. “I feel like a part of the family,” she says. When she underwent surgery at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, her employer took care of her medical bills and made her rest for two weeks after the operation. “We are really good friends and often stay up at night, chatting over a few drinks.”

Every Sunday Maria spends time catching up with her friends at a meeting spot popular with Filipino workers near Orchard Road. She invited me along to one of their gatherings, where I had the opportunity to talk to other domestic workers about their experiences, their hopes and their dreams.

Rabel
I’ve been working as a domestic helper for ten years. My mother and two sisters are also domestic helpers in Cyprus. Originally they wanted me to go with them but I was approached by my friend who is a recruiter for Singapore maids and I ended up coming here. At first I didn’t know what to expect and it took me about a year to settle in. I haven’t seen my family for six years, but in the future I might join them in Cyprus.

When I was younger I wanted to be a geologist. I tried to get into a course but there was only one, and it was too far away from my home, so I enrolled in a computer course instead. I didn’t enjoy it very much and never completed the class. I always intended to go back and continue my studies, but at the moment I like it in Singapore. I can earn more here.

I currently work for an Australian family who have three young children. Although the children are a handful, I love them. One day I might have my own family but I am not looking to meet anyone at the moment. I don’t expect too much; if it happens it happens.

Helen
It is a hard life as a domestic helper but I have to make sacrifices to support my children. My current employer sometimes forgets to give me my salary, which makes me angry.

I get up at 6am every morning and work until about 7pm. The only time I can rest is when I’m eating my meals, so I try to make them last as long as possible. She sometimes calls me bad names and says she doesn’t trust me.

I want to quit but it is difficult. She could have me blacklisted with the Ministry of Manpower, making it hard for me to find another job.

Catherine
I came here to help support my family. My son, Flordane Casper, is four now, but when I left him with my husband he was only seven months old. Leaving him was very difficult. Shortly after I came to Singapore I found out that my husband was cheating on me and so I had to go back to the Philippines. Sometimes employers don’t care what is going on in our personal lives and we have to tell them our loved ones are sick, just so they will allow us to leave the country. It was very painful at the time, but I am over the worst of it. Flordane is now at school, which makes me very happy.

My new employers are very good to me, but I have a friend who is not so lucky. She has been a domestic helper here for three years, and in that time has never had a day off. They often make her work until 1am. I have told her to go home but she is too scared.

Before I became a domestic helper, I worked in customer service, but the money wasn’t very good. One day I would like to go to Spain because the salaries there are higher.

Juvy
I come from Ilocoz Norte, but have been in Singapore for ten years. I always dreamt of travelling abroad but my parents couldn’t afford to send me to college, so my opportunities were limited. When a maid recruiter came to my town, I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to travel, and also to help support my parents and two brothers.

Back home I worked very hard and tried several different jobs, including working in a pharmacy and as a secretary in an office. Neither of these jobs paid as much as I’m getting now. My salary still isn’t much though, and one day I’d like to work in Hong Kong or even Paris where I hear the wages for domestic helpers are even higher. Given the choice, however, I’d like to work in marketing.

Adelaida
I have two sons aged 23 and 18, and my dream is that they will continue with their studies. I’ve been in Singapore for 15 years and, with the money I’ve earned, I’ve been able to put them through school. I miss my family but we SMS a lot and speak on the phone sometimes.

When the children were very young I worked in a grocery store but I didn’t earn enough to support them. Life was very hard, which is why I came to Singapore. I felt like I didn’t have a choice. With the money I have saved here I have been able to buy a very nice house and a big plot of land in the Philippines. However, I will stay in Singapore for as long as I can keep earning.

There is one overriding factor that bonds this group: they all came here to provide a better life for themselves and their families. Victims of circumstance, their situation is simply a by-product of where they come from, and as such, I can’t help wondering what would have become of them if they had been born into more privileged homes. These smart, strong, self-aware women have hopes and dreams like everybody else, and perhaps one day this society will give them the recognition that they deserve.


• It is not a legal requirement to grant domestic workers days off work. Although many consider this unacceptable, refusing leave  is a common practice. It is ultimately your responsibility to ensure that your employee is afforded adequate time for rest and relaxation.

There are organisations campaigning for a change. Maids Day Off, which we highlighted in our June issue, is one such campaign. They are on the web at www.maidsdayoff.com.

• To find out more about your own rights and those of foreign domestic workers, visit the Ministry of Manpower website at
www.mom.gov.sg.



121 Personnel Services can be contacted at +65 6733 8121 or online at www.121personnel.com