Couple on trial for starving maid till she weighed just 29kg

[Pal]

A Singaporean couple is on trial for allegedly starving their Filipina domestic helper. She weighed just 29kg when she escaped from their Orchard Road condominium in April 2014.

Ms Thelma Oyasan Gawidan, 40, had worked for the couple for almost 1.5 years before she escaped and sought refuge at HOME, a non-profit organisation that assists migrant workers, including domestic helpers.

Ms Thelma lost 20kg whilst working for Lim and Chong. She told HOME of only being given instant noodles to eat twice a day for over a year. On some occasions, she was given bread.

More details:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sin ... 45586.html

[x9200]

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sin ... 45586.html

"I WAS SHIVERING FROM HUNGER"

I am sorry for what may appear rather insensitive question, but did they keep her locked all the time in the apartment and pay no salary? If somebody is so hungry there should be no problem to go to a Giant or Sheng Siong and buy some cooked noodles (for example). She could easily double her calories intake for ca $1 a day. To make it clear, I am not trying to defend her employers but simply something doesn't click here.

[nakatago]

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sin ... 45586.html

"I WAS SHIVERING FROM HUNGER"

I am sorry for what may appear rather insensitive question, but did they keep her locked all the time in the apartment and pay no salary? If somebody is so hungry there should be no problem to go to a Giant or Sheng Siong and buy some cooked noodles (for example). She could easily double her calories intake for ca $1 a day. To make it clear, I am not trying to defend her employers but simply something doesn't click here.

Several things:

* probably locked up all the time
* if she does get to go out, only with the family; it was mentioned that the she was still supervised when showering
* she may have been a simple country lass hence the inability to fight back/assert her rights

[x9200]

If this was the case (p 1 and 2), I am curious why it was not mentioned. I would expect the authorities to make additional points out of it as this was in a clear violation of the law too and MoM's guidelines.

[nakatago]

If this was the case (p 1 and 2), I am curious why it was not mentioned. I would expect the authorities to make additional points out of it as this was in a clear violation of the law too and MoM's guidelines.

Dat's cutting edge Singaporean journalism fer ya!

[ecureilx]

; it was mentioned that the she was still supervised when showering

That's a serious violation.

I am sure the employer knew all that when they took the orientation test.

I wish I didn't use cuss words here but the two must be locked up for long time till they rot.

If this wasn't their first maid maybe they did it before too.

Would love to know the agency though.

[x9200]

And note the maximum fine of 10k for over 1 year of such mistreatment.

[ecureilx]

And note the maximum fine of 10k for over 1 year of such mistreatment.

Knowing Singapore laws, the other charges may be brought up separately.

Or if the judge gives a lesser sentence, the prosecution will appeal, truly Singapore style.

Note the time it took for the case to be brought up, since April 2014.

[sundaymorningstaple]

It's a max fine of 10K and/or 1 year imprisonment. I'm hoping for the 'AND' and not the 'or' in and/or. I hope they get 'em for both.

[ecureilx]

It's a max fine of 10K and/or 1 year imprisonment. I'm hoping for the 'AND' and not the 'or' in and/or. I hope they get 'em for both.

Me too am hoping for "AND" ... and hoping the other charges will be added.

From the bits I know, Singapore allows additional charges to be added or dropped.

[sgstrait]

Guys, best not to start threads/comments on current court cases.


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[rajagainstthemachine]

Guys, best not to start threads/comments on current court cases.


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and why is that?

[sgstrait]

It can be illegal. You'll notice that most newspaper reports on cases don't allow comments until after final appeal.

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