"US millionaires guilty in 'modern slavery' case"
"Finger-case maid to assist in investigations.."
"Indonesian maid's escape bid goes awry.."
"Finger-case maid to assist in investigations.."
"Indonesian maid's escape bid goes awry.."
Save for the third headline, these are just some of the headlines which have recently cropped up in our local sheets regarding Indonesian amahs.
Cases of abuse are nothing new. These headlines probably represent 1% of reported cases which makes me wonder what the exact figure is.
[Note that I am, by no means, discriminating against Indonesian amahs per se. However references to these ladies and their unfortunate plight only serve as a basis for my discussion today on abuse cases amongst the help.]
Over the years, I have heard stories, mostly complaints, of varying degrees regarding Indonesian amahs. What's interesting to note from all these stories is the longevity of these girls' tenure. In other words, it would be surprising for these girls to see through their contracts. Even rarer would be for these girls to actually come back and continue working for the same employers.
What is it about Indonesian amahs that makes them susceptible to abuse? Initially these girls would present themselves as able, charming and always on the employer's beck-and-call.
Fast forward to three months later..that's when the employers' nightmares begin when these girls' true colours appear. Some may be lucky to have employers who, upon discovering their true nature, will simply return these girls to their agents (even though these girls are fully aware they have no money to fend for themselves or their families back in their homeland but that's another story for another day..) Some may not be lucky enough. And that's when these girls' nightmares appear as in the finger-case maid.
One thing that strikes me as odd is the naivete mindset of these girls. While I applaud people who sacrifice their lives by leaving behind their family and home to find work abroad, I also find it ironic that these same girls would also end up behaving like they've never met an iron before or understood that 2 + 2 = 4!?! As the locals would say "siapa jua inda marah kalau inda faham??"
So while I condemn those employers who'd go as far as scorching their amahs with a hot iron or hitting them with belts, these girls are not completely blameless themselves. Until they come to realise the true purpose behind (their) working as the help as well as their rights (not to be abused that is), then the abuse will continue to go unabated.
Cases of abuse are nothing new. These headlines probably represent 1% of reported cases which makes me wonder what the exact figure is.
[Note that I am, by no means, discriminating against Indonesian amahs per se. However references to these ladies and their unfortunate plight only serve as a basis for my discussion today on abuse cases amongst the help.]
Over the years, I have heard stories, mostly complaints, of varying degrees regarding Indonesian amahs. What's interesting to note from all these stories is the longevity of these girls' tenure. In other words, it would be surprising for these girls to see through their contracts. Even rarer would be for these girls to actually come back and continue working for the same employers.
What is it about Indonesian amahs that makes them susceptible to abuse? Initially these girls would present themselves as able, charming and always on the employer's beck-and-call.
Fast forward to three months later..that's when the employers' nightmares begin when these girls' true colours appear. Some may be lucky to have employers who, upon discovering their true nature, will simply return these girls to their agents (even though these girls are fully aware they have no money to fend for themselves or their families back in their homeland but that's another story for another day..) Some may not be lucky enough. And that's when these girls' nightmares appear as in the finger-case maid.
One thing that strikes me as odd is the naivete mindset of these girls. While I applaud people who sacrifice their lives by leaving behind their family and home to find work abroad, I also find it ironic that these same girls would also end up behaving like they've never met an iron before or understood that 2 + 2 = 4!?! As the locals would say "siapa jua inda marah kalau inda faham??"
So while I condemn those employers who'd go as far as scorching their amahs with a hot iron or hitting them with belts, these girls are not completely blameless themselves. Until they come to realise the true purpose behind (their) working as the help as well as their rights (not to be abused that is), then the abuse will continue to go unabated.
1 comment:
Yes, patience has its limits when it comes to employers.
But then, what can one really expect for $200++ salary and a poor educational and social background?
Think it's a losing situation for both parties... Yet the maid agents raking it in, get off almost scot free.
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