Singapore cracks down on abuse

Singapore cracks down on abuse

SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore vowed yesterday to crack down
swiftly on employers abusing foreign maids after Indonesia
imposed a freeze on sending its nationals to work as domestics to
the country.

The Ministry of Labor issued a stern warning to employers and
placement agencies after a highly-publicized case in which a 15-
year-old Indonesian maid was allegedly battered and made to eat
dog droppings.

A 37-year-old Singaporean woman and her 13-year-old son are on
trial for allegedly maltreating the maid at two apartments in May
and June.

The maid has been given refuge by the Indonesian embassy.

"The Ministry takes a serious view of employers who ill-treat
or abuse their foreign domestic workers. The Singapore government
will act swiftly against errant employers guilty of ill-treating
their workers," an official statement said.