Singaporean Couple Jailed, Fined For Starving Their Filipina Domestic Helper
On Monday (March 27, 2017), a Singaporean couple was jailed and fined after pleaded guilty for starving their Filipina maid.
Freelance trader Lim Choon Hong, 47 and his wife, Chong Sui Foon also 47 were pleaded guilty after starving their 40-year-old Pinay maid “Thelma Oyasan Gawidan.” The couple was fined $10, 000 or P359, 000.
Lim is sentenced to be jailed up to 3 weeks and his wife Chong will spend 3 months in jail after their cruelty towards the Filipina maid. The couple is currently on bail of $3, 000 or P107, 800 each pending the appeal for the prosecution was asking the couple to spend a maximum of 1-year in jail.
On March 2016, Lim was convicted of contravening the Employment of Foreign Manpower (Work P(–foul word(s) removed–)) Regulations 2012, requiring employers to provide food and medical treatment for the maid. Chong was guilty of tolerating her husband’s offense.
The Singaporean couple were only giving 2 meals a day on the previous condominium home at Boulevard Residence in Cuscaden Walk. Gawidan drop from 49 kg to 29 kg over 1 year and 3 months serving the couple.
The Filipina maid was able to receive her first meal around 1am to 2am with 2-3 slices of plain bread and 1-2 packs of instant noodles. She receives her second meal about late morning or early afternoon consisting with 5-6 slices of plain white bread only.
The Singaporean couple and their children were eating different food from Gawidan, which is more nutritious and greater in quantity compared to what they were feeding to the Filipina.
Gawidan also need to ask permission before drinking water, which was given to her from the tap. She was also prohibited to use the toilet at home so she need to use the common toilet of the condominium. The Pinay domestic helper was only allowed to take a bath 1-2 a week.
