I FULLY agree with Mdm Sayeeda Ansari that regulations on maids are skewed towards them, and that they are taking advantage of this knowing that they are protected by the law.

I hired an Indonesian maid in May last year and two days later, the agency said that the maid had requested to change employers.

Her reasons? She wanted to have daily afternoon naps; she wanted brand new kitchen utensils; she wanted us to cook only halal food. I had no choice but to let her go.

The second maid worked for three days and starting crying about missing her children in the Philippines.

I let her go as well, fearing that she would do something stupid such as hurting herself.

The third maid, after working for a few months, started to invite other maids home for parties when I was not around, leaving household chores undone.

Recently, I employed a maid from Myanmar, and two weeks later, I received a letter from the Manpower Ministry (MOM) saying that if I were to change maid again, I would have to attend the Employer Orientation Programme. Maids are taking advantage of employers as they know that we are not protected by the regulations.

MOM should review its rules such that maids who have changed employers for the third time would have their work permit revoked.

Mdm Thelma Choo

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