AN INDONESIAN maid allegedly forced to work in other homes told the court yesterday her American former boss was bad and always scolded her.

Ms Subademi, 32, who now works elsewhere, said her then-employer Irene L. Olshewsky printed fliers offering part-time maid services, and then got her and her other maid, Ms Kusmiati, to distribute them in Marine Parade in November 2005.

Olshewsky, 47, a human resource director, was about to let Ms Kusmiati go, so Ms Subademi was to understudy her.

When part-time jobs started to come in, Ms Subademi said she had to hand over her earnings from working for two other households so the amount could be split among the three of them.

Olshewsky, a permanent resident here, has been charged with making her maid work for other people. She denies instructing Ms Subademi to work part time for others between Nov 20 and Dec 9, 2005.

Earlier on Monday, Mr James Speck, 50, an American creative director, told the court Olshewsky, his neighbour in Kuo Chuan Avenue, off East Coast Road, had said Ms Subademi could work for him. He paid the maid $10 an hour to look after his cat and sweep his yard while he was away.

Ms Subademi confirmed she worked for Mr Speck about 10 times in November and December 2005 and was paid between $10 and $30 each time.

She also worked for another expatriate identified only as Ian, who paid her three sums of $30 to $40.

These rates, she said, were fixed by Olshewsky, who even praised her for doing a 'good job' at Ian's house.

She said she knew it was illegal for her to work for someone other than the employer stated in her work permit. Asked why she worked in the two other households, she said she was forced by Olshewsky.

While cross-examining the maid, Olshewsky, who is unrepresented by a lawyer, said she taught Ms Subademi skills such as how to use a laptop computer and sew. She added that she needed her at home to take care of the housework and her massages.

The woman, who came to court in a wheelchair, said: 'When I needed you so much, would I risk you going elsewhere to work?' Ms Subademi replied: 'Yes, you asked me to.'

If convicted, Olshewsky could be fined up to $5,000.