The employer of Indonesian helper Erwiana, who allegedly tortured and disfigured her, has been conspicuously absent despite the news making international headlines. Now, reporters have dug up more information about Lo, who, according to previous helpers, has OCD and insomnia, and a record of mistreating helpers.Reporters have repeatedly knocked on the door of the Lo family at Beverly Garden in Tseung Kwan O but got no answer.
In recent years, Lo hired at least four helpers. Other than this incident, another helper took her to court for abuse in 2011, but was not convicted due to insufficient evidence. In 2006, a different helper filed a case against Lo in a labour dispute. Lo’s husband, surnamed Yu, has been hassled by debt collectors over numerous debts and filed for bankruptcy in 2010.
According to Susi (not her real name), a previous helper of Lo’s in 2010, the couple has two daughters, 16 and 14. The husband works late and does not come home often. Her only job every single day is to clean. She said that the female employer has obsessive-compulsive disorder — “every time Madam uses the toilet, I must clean it within half an hour.” Susi also said that Lo has serious insomnia, and allows her only to sleep from 6am to 10am in the morning. She can only go to the toilet only twice a day for 15 minutes at a time or risk a beating. If a strand of hair is found on the floor, Susi’s hair will be pulled and Lo will demand that she clean the entire house again.
To help Erwiana, you can donate to her directly at this page.
See related:
5,000 people march to seek justice for Erwiana, former helper press charges
Eight months of living hell for allegedly tortured helper
Police launch investigation into alleged abuse of Indonesian maid
Employer beats helper with stick and pours boiling water on her
Source: Apple Daily
Photo: AFP
