The Help – Siti’s employer squeezed her windpipe, forced her to the floor and rubbed raw meat on her head

Welcome to “The Help”, a series brought to you in partnership with HK Helpers Campaign and Mission for Migrant Workers. These stories come directly from some of Hong Kong’s 320,000 foreign domestic workers. Everyone deserves a voice. 
 

Siti Aminah, 39, Kediri Jatim, Indonesia

 

I’ll have been in Hong Kong for one year in September. I came here because my family is poor. We have no money but we want to build a house in Indonesia. I have two children, aged 11 and 7. My husband has left and my parents have passed away. My sister-in-law looks after my children while I’m away.

I was only working with my first Hong Kong employer for one month and one week. Even within the first week she was getting angrier and angrier over small things. For example, if I gave her change in coins rather than notes. She would shout in my face so close she would spit on me.

On Oct. 14 she wanted to kill me. She grabbed and squeezed my windpipe, slapped me, forced me to the floor and rubbed an uncooked meat bone all over my head and hair. 

Afterwards, even the husband said, “Siti, I’m very sorry. My wife has a bad temper, I cannot handle her.” 

I told the agency that my employer wanted to kill me but they kept telling me to stay where I was and keep quiet. They only told me I could call the police when I sent them a photo of a five-inch scratch I had on my neck.

My employer was very angry when I called the police. About 15 minutes after my call, 10 officers turned up. They took her to the station and me to hospital.

I’ve been in the Bethune House shelter for two months now after spending a long time at the agency. In here it’s very good. They’re helped me get all my documents and passport from the agency and have encouraged me to visit the Indonesian Embassy and take my case to court.

When I was with my employer I was was scared, but now I’m strong again. Despite what’s happened I still want to stay here and continue working. I want to make more money to build my house. 

I was supposed to pay the agency HKD2,596 from my salary every month for six months, but of course I only paid one month. My salary was going to be HKD4,010 each month.

I worked in Malaysia as a domestic helper for five and a half years with one employer before coming here. It was very good there, but I wanted more experience so I decided to come to Hong Kong.

There were no days off in Malaysia. I didn’t go back home for four years when I first started, and then not again until my contract ended. My employer also kept all my salary, so I had to ask if I needed some money.

Hong Kong should be better as I will have one day off a week and I can send money home every month to my family when I get a new job.

I’m still waiting for a court date so I can’t do anything until then.
   
If you’re a Hong Kong domestic worker for a story, good or bad to tell, email us at the address below.

 


Got a tip? Send it to us at hongkong@coconuts.co.




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