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.