Treat maids with dignity and respect

Treat maids with dignity and respect

SINGAPORE - I was filled with sadness when I read deputy editor Zuraidah Ibrahim's commentary ("What's your maid eating?"; last Sunday).

I am aware of domestic helpers not getting enough food, yet I cannot do much about it.

Reporting a case of such ill treatment may not be feasible because the victim may be too timid to fault her employer.

I can only hope that public awareness of decent treatment of domestic helpers can be raised through the media.

Employers ought to know that the health of their domestic workers is as important as their own health.

Nutritious fare need not be expensive, so employers should not begrudge providing their helpers with sufficient food.

It is only humane to treat domestic helpers with dignity and respect.

If employers are not comfortable having their helpers eat with them at the same table, they could separate the food meant for the latter before the meal, rather than have them eat leftovers.

I hope more employers here can learn to be kinder and more gracious.

Kan Beo Lan (Ms)

This article was published on April 27 in The Straits Times.

Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.

This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.