REPORT a case of maid abuse and we'll give you camera or handphone vouchers.

A non-profit group called Hearer of Cries (HOC) recently began offering this incentive under its whistle-blower programme.

The vouchers are worth $100 to $500, depending on the severity of the case. Funding comes from their own pockets.

Mr Mike Goh started the group after reading about Singapore's worst case of maid abuse, in December 2001.

An Indonesian maid died after undergoing nine months of ill-treatment by her employer and had more than 200 injuries on her body from being whipped, kicked, punched, burned and scalded.

In July 2002, the abuser was sentenced to 18 1/2 years in jail and six strokes of the cane.

'When I read the article about the maid who died, it made me decide that I could no longer be a bystander,' said Mr Mike Goh. 'I decided to start a group to prevent maid abuse.'

They set up the website in 2002, and last November, registered HOC as a private company.

They have not received any tip-offs yet, but if they do, they intend to visit the employer's home and ask to speak to the maid. If the employer refuses, they will hand over any evidence they have to the authorities.

If the maid declines to pursue the matter, HOC will drop the case.

But should they be approaching the employers in the first place?

Mr Mike Goh, a technical analyst, admits they will have their critics, especially those who feel employers should speak only to police officers or officials from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

DETERRENT

He said: 'Those who abuse their maids will see us as trouble-makers. But us being around is a reminder to them not to abuse their maids.

'Ultimately, it is the courts which decide whether the employer is guilty or not. We are not out to hurt anybody.'

None of the HOC members employs a maid.

To prevent abuse of the system, HOC said informants must provide their name, address, contact number and address of the maid they suspect is being abused.

Lawyer R Doraisamy, 35, thinks confronting an employer might land the maid in more trouble.

He said: 'If you confront the employer, he might hurt her further.

'He might think it was she who reported the matter and, fearing a police report being made, might repatriate her to her country without pay.

'The group should hand over any evidence to the police and avoid a confrontation with the employer. Any investigation should be done by the police.'

Senior lawyer Peter Low, 56, said there was nothing wrong with HOC making visits to employers' homes so long as they did not threaten or blackmail them.

The former Law Society president added: 'They may request to see the maid but can't trespass into the employer's home.

'It's up to the employer whether he wants to relay the request to the maid or allow them access to her.'

Mr Low said it was all right to offer monetary rewards for tip-offs as long as no laws were broken.

He said whistleblowers must not trespass into homes to take pictures and can only take them from outside the premises.

GROUP'S EFFORTS WELCOME

An MOM spokesman said they have not received any tip-offs from HOC but welcomed the group's efforts to prevent maid abuse.

He said MOM refers all complaints of maid abuse to the police.

He added: 'MOM welcomes any effort by social organisations to help improve the well-being of FDWs (foreign domestic workers).'

He said maids who are physically abused by their employers should lodge a police report or contact the MOM at 6339 5505.

This story was first published in The New Paper on Feb 5, 2008.