5. What are the main complaints made by foreign domestic workers?
They vary to some extent, according to nationality. A survey of 115 Indonesian domestic workers who had worked in Singapore and which was conducted in 2005 recorded complaints about 24 different problems.
More than two-thirds of the workers complained of limited access to information and communication with other people, not being allowed to go outside, not having enough time to rest and a heavy workload, but the most common complaint, in 80 per cent of cases, was having no time off. (A. Savitri Wisnuwardani, Alb. Bambang Buntoro, Mulyadi, Sri Palupi: Problems Faced by Indonesian Migrant Domestic Workers in Singapore: Data and Facts. Working Forum on Justice for Migrant Domestic Workers (FOKER), Working Team on Record and Information, Institute for Ecosoc Rights)
This corresponds roughly with what TWC2 and other groups have found in conversation with Indonesian domestic workers. Most of their counterparts from the Philippines, by contrast, have a regular day off, so the issue tends to have a lower priority for them.
When domestic workers are beaten or otherwise physically assaulted by employers ('maid abuse'), it is usually well reported in the media. This can give the impression that violence at the hands of employers is widespread and that it is the No. 1 problem faced by foreign domestic workers. This is not the case. The great majority of employers do not use violence against their workers, and many have a harmonious relationship with them, but complaints about long hours, not having time off and being overworked are common.
In conversation with foreign domestic workers, TWC2 has also found that many have experienced what we have called 'quiet indignities': being taken to a restaurant by a family, but only to look after their children, and not having anything to eat; being talked about in their presence by employers who tell friends about how 'stupid' or 'clumsy' they are; being issued a string of orders without any 'please' or 'thank-you' - this kind of treatment.
This corresponds roughly with what TWC2 and other groups have found in conversation with Indonesian domestic workers. Most of their counterparts from the Philippines, by contrast, have a regular day off, so the issue tends to have a lower priority for them.
When domestic workers are beaten or otherwise physically assaulted by employers ('maid abuse'), it is usually well reported in the media. This can give the impression that violence at the hands of employers is widespread and that it is the No. 1 problem faced by foreign domestic workers. This is not the case. The great majority of employers do not use violence against their workers, and many have a harmonious relationship with them, but complaints about long hours, not having time off and being overworked are common.
In conversation with foreign domestic workers, TWC2 has also found that many have experienced what we have called 'quiet indignities': being taken to a restaurant by a family, but only to look after their children, and not having anything to eat; being talked about in their presence by employers who tell friends about how 'stupid' or 'clumsy' they are; being issued a string of orders without any 'please' or 'thank-you' - this kind of treatment.