DR YIK Keng Yeong evidently considers that Mr Geoff Milne is overly critical of Singaporeans' treatment of foreign maids ('Maid abuse isolated cases; don't knock Singapore; ST, July 3).

Working with hundreds of Singaporeans who take a strong stand against all forms of maid abuse, TWC2 can sympathise with Dr Yik in resisting generalised criticisms, but his own comments tend to play down problems that really exist.

If only cases of abuse against maids were 'isolated'. In 2004, the Ministry of Manpower recorded 59 maid abuse cases - more than one a week. This was a minimum. The number of calls to help-

lines like those of TWC2, Home or the Archdiocesan Commission for Migrants and Itinerant People (Acmi) by desperate women or individuals (Singaporeans as well as maids' fellow nationals) concerned for them underlines the continuing gravity of the problem, as does the number of women workers claiming abuse who seek refuge in shelters.

Sadly, Dr Yik's statement that the level of abuse here is 'at least not more (prevalent) than in any other First World country' is factually incorrect. Cases of physical abuse of maids are relatively few in other First World countries, even allowing for very different scales of maid employment. Rarely does a worker claim abuse, or seek refuge at a shelter.

In response to all three writers, we can say that part of the problem in Singapore is social. Many cases involve women under heavy pressure to earn money and manage their family household. They take out their stress on their maid.

Another reason for the difference between Singapore and other First World countries is that in the latter, certain legal protections are more far reaching. There are normally strict upper limits on working hours and, crucially, clearly defined rights to time off, which is the worker's own. These are effective in curbing the danger of abuse, as workers can escape it without great difficulty.

In Singapore, over half of maids have no day off. Prevented from leaving their employer's home unaccompanied throughout their stay, how can they make use of existing protective regulations?

There is cause for optimism. Little by little, the Government strengthens protective measures and public attitudes become more considerate towards maids, but there is still much to be done.

John Gee
President
Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2)