Respect their dignity or risk of theft? Singaporeans divided on whether maid’s belongings should be checked

SINGAPORE: A local Reddit user sought advice on whether they should go through their helper’s luggage and belongings on the last day that she is employed with them, adding that they had been advised to do so to check for theft. This sparked a debate between commenters.

In a post on r/askSingapore from last week, u/kouroubao wrote that they wanted to hear from “more seasoned employers out there what the standard practice is and if anyone regretted not checking.”

Many local Reddit users have weighed in, some saying they would prefer to treat them with dignity.

“It’s really up to you. I know people who have done it and people who didn’t. For me, I didn’t because anything important or worth more, it’s locked away. If she wants to take anything lying around, it’s replaceable for me. I just want to treat my employees with a little dignity,” one wrote.

Others, however, shared their particular negative experiences with helpers and encouraged the post author to do so, as it would be better to be safe than sorry. They told stories of how helpers were able to figure out safe combination codes and take away cash and other valuables, turn off nanny cams, and even place some jewelry into a cake, which, fortunately, the helper forgot in the fridge and wasn’t able to bring with her.

There is a fine line to tread, however, between ensuring that a helper does not steal and riding roughshod over her rights. Employers can be debarred by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for abusive behavior against domestic helpers. How long a debarment lasts depends on the severity of the offence. And in Singapore, where a helper is often a necessity and not a luxury, especially when both husband and wife are working and there are young children, elderly relatives, or both, in the house, not having a helper can be very difficult indeed.

What do the experts say? According to the MOM website, one way to secure your home is to prevent theft from taking place.

“You would need to advise your MDW (Migrant Domestic Worker) of the serious consequences of theft. It is a criminal offence in Singapore and the police will be involved. Offenders will be blacklisted and not be able to work in Singapore,” K Jayaprema, the President of the Association of Employment Agencies (Singapore) says.

Also, as one blog reminds us, “Privacy is a fundamental human right recognised in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, and anyone, including our helpers, deserves privacy just like we do… There is no need to check on their personal belongings unless you have reasonable doubt or proof that they are committing acts of theft and so on.” /TISG

Read also: Maid says her employer did not give her Labour Day off, even though her contract includes PH entitlements