In a concerning incident that recently came to light, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in Singapore is investigating a distressing case where a domestic worker was seen precariously cleaning the roof on top of a house in Bukit Timah with a broom, according to The Straits Times.
This alarming event came to public attention when it was shared on the Complaint Singapore Facebook page on August 31. The post included photos and a video depicting a domestic worker clinging to the roof while attempting to clean it.
The Urgent Need for Investigation
A spokesperson for MOM confirmed the ongoing investigation and expressed the ministry’s concern regarding employers who fail to provide safe working conditions for migrant domestic workers.
The incident, as shared by a concerned individual known as Geraldine, highlights the dangers that some domestic workers face in their employment.
Geraldine, who shared the incident, disclosed that she and the domestic worker in the video had been friends while residing in the same condominium between 2017 and 2018, working for different employers.
She further explained that she couldn’t ignore the situation and wanted to draw attention to the unsafe work conditions that some domestic workers endure.
Ms. Geraldine, who witnessed and recorded the incident at approximately 11 am on August 31, stated that her friend had been instructed by her current employer to sweep the roof. This perilous task forced her friend into a precarious situation, and Geraldine felt compelled to share this incident to raise awareness.
With the intervention of the authorities, the domestic worker was promptly relocated to a shelter, ensuring her safety. The Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE) reached out to the informant and also reported the incident to MOM, and they reiterated its readiness to provide additional assistance to the migrant domestic worker if required.
A Troubling Pattern
The incident brings to light a troubling pattern where domestic workers are asked to perform hazardous tasks. Examples of such dangerous assignments include climbing ladders to clean high shelves or fans without proper supervision.
The Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics reported that approximately one in five domestic workers seeking assistance from the organization had been subjected to such perilous work.
The spokesperson for the Humanitarian Organization for Migration Economics emphasized the importance of respecting the dignity and safety of domestic workers. She stressed that domestic workers should not be made to perform tasks that compromise their safety and that precautions should always be taken when they have to carry out precarious tasks.
Legal Consequences
Employers found guilty of instructing migrant domestic workers to undertake tasks that endanger their safety can face severe penalties. These penalties include fines of up to $10,000, imprisonment for a maximum of 12 months, or both.