Rilek1Corner

Tag: foreign worker

  • Singaporean Auxiliary Officer Not Good Enough?

    Singaporean Auxiliary Officer Not Good Enough?

    I am a auxiliary officer and have been working for close to 2 years. I have many friends that apply security part time work after they finish polytechnic. Nowadays i see there is more demand for security type of jobs.

    But now they are outsourcing to Taiwanese? I know people that are willing to do security job work ok, so don’t say that local Singaporeans don’t want security jobs. People are already looked down for choosing security guard as their first job after finishing school. It doesn’t help these people’s confidence in the job. If employers want to retain them, they must do something. Only officers like us will know this feeling.

    Even salary difference between us and the future Taiwanese officers is so big. What’s the differences they have to get more starting pay than us? They graduate from their own uni we graduate from poly but end up, we do same job. If do same job then why give them higher pay….so they coming here to become supervisors? I have my own family to feed and take care of my parents. actually we should get higher pay.

     

    Abang Super 4

    Reader Contribution

  • Indian Foreign Worker Devastated By Death Of Wife During Childbirth Wandered Around Bukit Timah Aimlessly In Early Morning

    Indian Foreign Worker Devastated By Death Of Wife During Childbirth Wandered Around Bukit Timah Aimlessly In Early Morning

    My first passenger today brought me to tears and I had to hold it back till I dropped him off.

    At 5.46am, I got a booking from Bt Timah Road. It didn’t state what number, just the road name. I called him, he said he didn’t know what number or where he was. He just said he was sitting at a bus stop at Bt Timah Road.
    Bt Timah Road is so long. I asked him to describe what he saw nearby. He said cars, trees, at a bus stop. I asked him to look for the bus stop number, I got silence and muffling sounds.
    Sensing something very wrong,
    I said…just sit there and wait for me. I will find you!

    From where I was, I thought…if the booking came to me. He must be at the few bus stops nearest to me, but Bt Timah Road was left and right. So I tried the right side first.

    There he was… a lone Indian foreign worker sitting at the bus stop, looking around aimlessly.

    I stopped my car, asked him if he had booked a car. He nodded. He opened the front door and asked if he could sit in front politely as he will vomit if he sit behind(his words).
    He got in, I offered him a plastic bag and a sweet which he politely declined.

    I confirmed his dropoff address, he nodded. He was upset. So I drove on, leaving him to calm down.

    Halfway through, I asked him if he was okay. He nodded.

    So I asked why he was at that bus stop (very quiet corner) so early that morning. He said he walked there.
    I said from where.
    He said from home.

    Apparently home was where I was sending him now….very far from where he was.

    So I casually mentioned…. wow that’s a very long walk.

    So the talk continues…

    Me: So where are you from?
    He: India.
    Me: U ok?
    Silence.
    Me: U work here?
    He: Ya.
    Me: How long?
    He: 6 months now.

    I then offered him some tissues and he took to wipe his tears…

    Me: It’s ok. You can talk.
    Silence then…..then he spoke.
    (After this, I was quiet for a long time while he spoke)
    His next words:
    my wife die after born my baby girl.

    In that little bit of English that he could speak….
    He went on to say he and his wife were orphans at an orphanage and grew up together and fell in love.
    They had to “betroth”(his word “sell”) their baby girl to a family in their village so they had money to pay for doctor visits for her pregnancy. The baby was supposed to be turned over to the family at age 12.
    His wife died during childbirth and the family had claimed the baby girl after the hospital turned her over to them.

    This man sitting next to me now will never have the chance to see his baby girl or even put his wife to rest.

    After I dropped him off, I declined to take his fare and even wanted to give him money for an airfare home.
    He simply refused to take it and said no use go home.

    He just said “Thank you for hear me” and left.
    He probably needed to be alone now.

    4 hours later when I finished my driving…. as I was clearing my things, I found 2 $10 notes in a slot on the passenger door. He had stuck them there after I refused to take his fare.

    I tried calling him on the same number…. it has been off the last many hours.

    My dear friends, give your kids and partner a good cuddle and many kisses today please!

    *Update* 21/11/116

    I managed to call through the phone this morning. It was picked up by another Indian man who said the phone is actually his and the man (his friend) had left this morning for home.
    I asked how?
    He said “Boss give money send”.

    He told me also….no call here again.

    I hope he will be blessed and find peace within himself soon.

    I didn’t expect this post to go viral but thank you to everyone who shared to let people know what some of our foreign workers face.

     

    Source: Cassandra Tan

  • Desperate Mother: We Have Video Evidence Of Maid Physically Abusing Our Children But She Remains Free

    Desperate Mother: We Have Video Evidence Of Maid Physically Abusing Our Children But She Remains Free

    I think it’s time to share this as I feel that it’s good to let others know as a deterrent and to be more careful when choosing a helper.

    Sri wahyuni ( wp number 007726961 ) has been with us for about 6 months when we discovered this. We saw this video of she scolding my 3rd child Ilyas and then punching the side of my last Son Ilham’s head casually. When we spoke to our children, we later found out that she had been violent to all our kids except Auni. She had punched the tummy of ilham, slapped ilyas’s hand but was especially rough with Ilhan whom she had pushed against the door and even slapped his face. Hence we showed her this video and she said that she is sorry and would change.

    We waited for a while deciding what to do but shortly after she ran away and went to MOM instead and reported we had abused her. I Guess she thought if she alleged we abused her then we can’t possibly report she has abused our kids but of course we reported the abuse and showed the police this video and now investigation is taking place. The worst was she purposely ran away on the day we were gg to Australia and had bought visa and tickets for her to go with us .

    Unfortunately though our government lean towards foreigners and once a fdw alleged abuse automatically the employer will be bared from getting a helper until the investigation ends even though there is zero evidence of this – yeah wow to our govt on this ) MOM and SPF even has the cheek To repeatedly call me to enquire about the things she had left behind at my place. Hence frankly I have lost faith with the ability of MOM or spf to protect Singaporeans when it’s against the foreigners.

    Because of this my boys had to go through a thorough medical examination and then later a psychological examination and don’t know hat else but that’s okay as Long as This helper will be put away .

    Anyway do beware of this helper as the spf had informed me that at times the helper can appeal to find a new employer even though they are under investigation and for those families who have fdw taking care of their children, do place CCTVs but seriously if they are of preschool age do send them To child care Centres instead where you have professionals taking care of your children.

    Please do make Doa and remember us in your prayers and we are hoping this ordeal will end soon and we believe Allah swt is just and there is always a HikmAh behind whatever has happened. In Shaa Allah.

     

    Source: Shahidah Angullia Basrawi

  • Man Found Hidden Under Maid’s Bed, He Wasn’t An Intruder

    Man Found Hidden Under Maid’s Bed, He Wasn’t An Intruder

    A 78-year-old female employer of a maid from Myanmar, got the shock of her life when she discovered a man hiding under her maid’s bed.

    Her dog had woken her up at midnight and led her to the maid’s room. She opened the door and was startled to find a man hiding under her maid’s bed and her maid not in the room.

    She quickly called her son-in-law for assistance as she had been home alone with her 86-year-old bedridden husband. Her daughter and son-in-law rushed over. Finding the man under the bed, the son-in-law kept the man in the room and called the police.

    The man struggled to get out of the room and the son-in-law had to use his weight to keep the door of the maid’s room shut. He heard the man inside make a call on his mobile phone, possibly for assistance from his friends. In the meantime, his father-in-law, who had already suffered from two strokes, went into shock. Thankfully his wife, a doctor, was able to stabilise him.

    When the police arrived, they got the man out of the room and he knelt on the living room floor crying and saying he was sorry. The police questioned him and then let him go as no offence had been committed.

    It turned out that the maid from Myanmar who had been with the family for six weeks had invited the man into the house.The maid denied knowing the man who is thought to be working near Bukit Timah. However, the police determined that the man had been invited into the house and had not broken in.

    The family have employed maids for over 20 years and have never experienced anything like this before. They have sent the maid back to the agency. As his father-in-law is bedridden and his elderly mother-in-law is unable to care for him alone, they will be hiring another maid soon. However, not before installing further security in the house.

    Source: http://sg.theasianparent.com

  • Youth Puts Studies On Hold To Care For Cancer-Stricken Maid In At Her Own Home

    Youth Puts Studies On Hold To Care For Cancer-Stricken Maid In At Her Own Home

    He dreams of pursuing circus arts in an overseas university.

    But Mr Marshall Lim, 22, has put his plans on hold, all so he can accompany his maid home to Indonesia to look after her.

    The helper, Ms Jariyah, 40, has Stage 4 cancer and has decided to return to her hometown in Central Java to reunite with her family after working for Mr Lim’s family for 15 years.

    She has taken care of Mr Lim since she joined the household in 1996 when he was two years old. She also took care of his brother, Mayor, who is now 19 and a polytechnic student.

    Mr Lim said of Ms Jariyah: “She’s my other mother. She treats me and my brother like her sons.”

    Affectionately calling her “Auntie Jar”, he added: “Once Auntie Jar is settled down and better, I can always come home to continue my physical training to audition for circus school.”

    His mother, Ms Margaret Tan, 49, let Ms Jariyah return to her family in Cilacap once it became clear she has only months to live.

    Said Ms Tan, a divorcee: “I discussed with my boys about Jariyah returning home, and we decided Marshall could accompany her back.”

    They left on Sunday.

    Ms Tan made arrangements to pay for her hospital bills using insurance payouts when Ms Jariyah was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.

    She even raised funds by asking friends to contribute.

    FAMILY

    Breaking down as she spoke to The New Paper on Tuesday, Ms Tan, who would only say she worked in the medical field, said Ms Jariyah had become family.

    She was her pillar of support when Ms Tan got her divorce in 2005.

    Said Ms Tan: “She was in a divorce once too, so I think she understands how it’s like. We bonded over this and found support in each other.

    “She took good care of the family during my divorce. She would give me advice and even talk to the boys.

    “I’m very grateful for that. She even made sure I was eating well. She went through a lot of hard times with me.”

    When money got tight in 2009, Ms Tan could not keep Ms Jariyah.

    Ms Tan said: “I found a good employer for her. She visited at least once every two months when she was with her second employer.”

    Ms Jariyah returned to Indonesia in 2012 but came back to work for Ms Tan in 2014.

    What would have been a happy-ever-after was cut short when Ms Jariyah started getting sick a year later, often running fevers.

    Eventually, she was diagnosed with cancer of the liver last month. It has spread to the lungs and uterus.

    In tears, Ms Tan said: “She’s not my domestic helper, she’s my closest friend. I just can’t accept the fact that she has cancer.”

    They tried treatments and herbal remedies, but ultimately Ms Jariyah decided treatment was “too expensive”.

    She then asked Ms Tan to let her return home to her parents.

    From Cilacap, Mr Lim told The New Paper on Wednesday that he has been looking after Ms Jariyah.

    She has fevers several times a day. He sometimes takes her out, like to the beach, for fresh air.

    Mr Lim said Ms Jariyah’s new house, which she hoped to build with her salary, had been under renovation since January. Due to lack of funds, the work stopped.

    He said: “Auntie Jar and I want to concentrate on getting well first before continuing renovations.”

    His bigger concern now is getting “healthy food” for her.

    MAKING DO

    “There’s a lack of variety in terms of fruit and vegetables, and berries – which are good for fighting cancer but are not available. I buy what is available and make do with what I have.

    “We also brought some quinoa from Singapore.”

    He has been helping with the chores at Ms Jariyah’s house.

    He said: “Auntie Jar’s daughter is still making food for me, so I have to force her to let me do chores or I’ll do it myself.”

    He has not planned when he will be returning to Singapore and does not have a long-term visa to stay in Indonesia.

    Said Mr Lim: “I guess I’ll stay for a month. Longer if possible, I’m not really too sure.

    “I just want her to be happy and healthy. If she’s happy with her family here, then I’ll be happy for her.”

    I’m very grateful for that. She even made sure I was eating well. She went through a lot of hard times with me.

    – Ms Margaret Tan, Ms Jariyah’s employer

    Her friends donate money to Ms Jariyah

    When Ms Jariyah, 40, was diagnosed with cancer, Ms Margaret Tan decided to raise funds for her treatment and for the renovation work on her house back in Indonesia.

    Ms Tan reached out to her friends, who donated money to help. She collected about $1,500.

    Said Ms Tan, 49: “I just want to help Jariyah, she’s important to me. We are not trying to be popular, we just want to do our best to raise funds for her. And I want to thank friends who have donated.”

    Ms Tan said the domestic insurance covers only hospitalisation and she does not know if it can be claimed.

    Ms Jariyah’s hospital bills cost $11,000.

    Ms Tan said: “We only have $15,000 per year for insurance payout, so we can’t afford chemotherapy, which is about $20,000.”

    Ms Jariyah did not consider chemotherapy as she knew it was expensive. The doctor told Ms Tan that Ms Jariyah would probably have months to live without chemotherapy.

    The Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Training (Fast)also donated a token sum of $1,000 to Ms Jariyah.

    Fast is a non-profit organisation which promotes social support and skills training for foreign domestic workers.

    Initiated by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), it was founded in March 2005 and co-ordinates courses for migrant workers here, such as cookery, English and business skills.

    On how they knew of the case, Mr Muhammad Nizam Amlan, manager of Fast, said: “(Ms Jariyah) told a friend about her condition and her friend (a Fast volunteer) came to us about the case (last Wednesday). We thought it was a good way to provide assistance.”

    Ms Tan told TNP she hopes there would be people to help Ms Jariyah.

    She said: “The money would go to having a better living environment for Jariyah and also for treatment, healthy food.

    “We have to keep Jariyah happy, so she has strength to fight the cancer.”

    She shaves head to help maid’s son

    CHARITY: Domestic helper Mariza Canete watches as her employer Isabelle Claisse’s head is shaved at a fund-raiser for her son. ST FILE PHOTO

    Ms Margaret Tan and her sons are not the only employers here who are raising funds for their domestic helpers.

    Earlier this year, The Straits Times reported how an employer, Ms Isabelle Claisse, 38, a lawyer, went bald to raise funds for her domestic helper’s son.

    Ms Mariza Canete’s 11-year-old boy had a “potentially fatal” tumour on his left leg.

    Through two campaigns on Generosity, crowdfunding site Indiegogo’s charity platform, nearly $63,000 was raised.

    Ms Canete, 30, told The New Paper on Wednesday night her son had another operation on his leg earlier this month in the Philippines.

    She said: “It was an infection, but now he’s discharged and recovering at home. He’s better, though he’s still skinny, but his appetite is back.”

    Ms Canete is still working in Singapore while her son is recovering back home.

    To Ms Canete, “forever” will never be enough to express her gratitude.

    She said: “I feel so blessed that there are people who helped to save my son’s life.”

    Ms Claisse, 38, told TNP they are still seeking donations.

    She said: “It really was incredible. Obviously, in many ways it was an awful experience, but I was able to take so many positives from it.”

    Madam Tey Ah Neo is another employer here who helped her domestic helper. In 2014, The Straits Times reported that Madam Tey, a retired accounts manager, paid for Ms Rodalina Dalauidao’s three children’s university education.

    Madam Tey received the Foreign Domestic Worker Employer of the Year award, which was given out by the Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Training in December that year.

     

    Source: www.tnp.sg