SINGAPORE: A heated discussion erupted on Reddit after a user shared the daily schedule of a migrant domestic worker (MDW) on the forum r/SingaporeRaw on 21 January.
The schedule, belonging to a worker identified as Ria (a pseudonym), revealed a relentless routine stretching from 5:30 AM to 11:00 PM.
The story of Ria’s arduous daily routine was first shared by the Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (HOME) on its website and Facebook page on 5 January.
Founded in 2004 by the late Ms Bridget Tan, HOME is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to championing the rights of migrant workers in Singapore.
Ria’s workday begins at 5:30 AM, meaning she likely has to wake up even earlier, and continues past 11:00 PM.
In addition to her daily chores, she is assigned weekly tasks that further diminish her already limited rest time.
Even her single rest day monthly offers little respite, as she must complete chores before leaving the house at 10:00 am and return by 4:00 pm to resume her duties.
Ria described herself as “perpetually exhausted” due to the strict adherence required by her demanding schedule, which leaves almost no room for proper rest or recovery.
HOME noted that overwork remains one of the most frequent complaints reported by MDWs residing in its shelter.
Many workers have expressed frustration over their requests for shorter working hours being dismissed with remarks like, “You are here to work, not relax!”
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has stated that MDWs are not covered by the Employment Act, citing that it is “not practical” to regulate specific aspects of domestic work, such as hours of work and work on public holidays.
Instead, MOM encourages employers to sign contracts with their MDWs to clarify expectations and avoid disputes.
Despite these guidelines, HOME continues to strongly advocate for MDWs to be included in the Employment Act.
The organisation believes that legislating limits on working hours is essential to ensure fair treatment and protect the well-being of these workers.
Reddit Users React to Migrant Domestic Worker’s Grueling Schedule: “Slave or Maid?”
The post about Ria’s grueling daily schedule sparked a heated discussion among Reddit users, with many expressing outrage over the exploitative working conditions faced by some migrant domestic workers (MDWs).
One user questioned whether Ria was being treated as a “slave or maid,” highlighting the extreme nature of her schedule.
Another commented that the workload was “absolutely not a one-person job.”
Some users pointed out specific elements of the schedule, with one asking, “Why are they doing laundry and washing the toilet every day?” and sarcastically noting the detailed inclusion of tasks like preparing turmeric water, ginger water, and salt water.
Another user replied that such schedules are about employers wanting to “make their money’s worth to the maximum.”
Others expressed shock at the lack of adequate rest time, with one commenting, “Not even seven hours of uninterrupted rest? Such employers must be reported!”
Another user questioned the legality of the schedule, wondering if working from 5:30 am to 11:00 pm was even allowed under the law.
Additionally, some users pointed out the lack of clarity regarding meal breaks, with one asking, “Am I missing something or she doesn’t need to eat?”
Another replied, noting the absence of any mention of break or meal times in the schedule.
Calls for Stricter Regulations
Similar sentiments were echoed on HOME’s Facebook page, where netizens criticised the exploitative nature of Ria’s schedule.
One commenter described the situation as “abusive,” criticising the lack of meal breaks and rest hours, and raising concerns about the potential for employers to become unreasonable or even violent.
They suggested stricter measures, such as requiring employers to submit proposed work schedules, declare the size of their property, and undergo mental health assessments before hiring domestic helpers.
Call for Inclusion of MDWs in Employment Act to Ensure Fair Treatment
Another comment highlighted the systemic failure to protect MDWs, stating, “The relentless schedules many MDWs are forced to endure are deeply disturbing. The absence of clear regulations on rest time and working hours puts their health and well-being at risk.”
The user called for MDWs to be included in the Employment Act, arguing that every worker deserves proper rest and fair treatment, especially those in physically and emotionally demanding roles like domestic work.
