Despite the relatively developed status of Singapore compared to our neighbours, the city-state has a pretty frightening reputation for prevalent cases of domestic worker abuse. Last year alone saw 26 maid abuse cases filed — nearly double the 14 filed in 2012, according to the State Courts.
The problem is exacerbated by the fact that a significant portion of maids working in Singapore may very well be underaged.
Somehow, dozens of underaged girls from Myanmar have been making their way here to work as migrant domestic workers, with some even as young as 15 years old. Recruitment agents in Myanmar entice girls from villages to earn more money in Singapore, and some even promise to help arrange shady dealings for them to bypass the laws here. When they do arrive and get a job, several end up becoming vulnerable targets for inhumane abuse, sexual assaults, and other depraved incidences a teenager should not go through.
Watch the investigative documentary by Al Jazeera about the deceit and corruption that goes on behind the scenes.
