Latest news with #domestichelper
South China Morning Post
21 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Domestic helper gets 14 months' jail in Hong Kong for jewellery theft
A domestic helper has been jailed for 14 months in Hong Kong after admitting that she stole jewellery from her employer and pawned most of the 47 items for HK$200,000 out of greed. Advertisement Eastern Court on Monday sentenced Sherelle Lyn Valle Dajay, 41, for the theft of valuables taken from her employer's home at Black's Link in Happy Valley over a seven-month span last year. The Filipino national pleaded guilty last month to two counts of theft. She took valuables stored inside an unlocked wardrobe in the master bedroom between March and October. The court heard the stolen items included various gold necklaces, diamond rings, gold-plated watches, pendants, bracelets and earrings. Jewellery owner Christine Sin Nga-yu, 60, found that her valuables were missing on October 13 last year. When she and her mother confronted Dajay the next morning, the defendant admitted wrongdoing and showed them the pawn tickets she got after using the luxurious items as collateral. Advertisement The helper was arrested that afternoon after an initial body search found she was in possession of a stolen watch worth HK$4,300.
Independent Singapore
18-05-2025
- General
- Independent Singapore
‘Not even I can stand how my sister behaves' — Employer shares concerns after sister's verbal abuse pushes their maid to resign
SINGAPORE: An employer took to social media to seek advice after her domestic helper expressed a desire to resign, citing frequent verbal abuse from a family member. Posting on Reddit's 'Ask Singapore' forum on Saturday (May 17), the employer shared that she lives with her elderly mother, who has mobility issues, as well as her sister and their domestic helper. She explained that the helper was hired because neither she nor her sister was able to manage her mother's caregiving needs alone. However, the situation at home has become increasingly tense. The employer alleged that her sister, who struggles with anger management, has been shouting at the helper and throwing things on the floor multiple times a day. 'It happens every day, maybe three or four times per day. No point talking, there is no reasoning that can be done with her,' she wrote, adding that attempts to calm her sister only lead to more outbursts. The helper has since told her that she wants to leave. 'I don't blame her,' the employer said. 'Not even I can stand how my sister behaves.' Now overwhelmed and unsure how to manage her mother's care without help, the employer ended her post with a question: 'How do I manage my mum's caregiving when the helper leaves? I am quite tired now and also have a lot of other issues. Thinking of just giving up and letting things happen. Does anyone have any suggestions?' 'Give your sister an ultimatum' In the discussion thread, several Reddit users weighed in with strong opinions and advice on how the woman could handle the situation with her sister. One user suggested taking serious action by involving the authorities. 'Report your sister so she gets a warning from authorities,' they wrote. '[You could also] help your helper transfer to a good home? Maybe pressure your sister to pay for the costs of getting a new one.' Another user didn't hold back and encouraged the woman to set firm boundaries. 'Give your sister an ultimatum,' they said. 'If she doesn't want to help out with caring for your mum, doesn't want to work and find a job, and still continues to verbally abuse the helper, then you can throw her out of the house and change the locks. She's not a minor, right? She'd better start learning to be independent and find work to support herself. Too free, nothing to do, lots of time having fun tormenting the helper. Don't enable her anymore.' A third user took a more practical approach and suggested a long-term solution. 'Put your mum in a nursing home so that your sister can't take out her angst on anyone,' they wrote. 'You wouldn't need the helper then, so your costs can go to nursing home fees.' According to the A.C.T. Against Violence's website, if you're being verbally or physically abused or mistreated in any way, or if you suspect that a Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) is going through the same, there are a few things you can do to get help. One option is to report the situation to the police. They'll look into the complaint, and if they find that a crime has been committed, they will start a criminal investigation. Employers who are found guilty can face serious consequences under the law, and they might also be permanently banned by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) from hiring another FDW in the future. You can also call the FDW Helpline at 1800 339 5505 to speak with an MOM officer and learn more about next steps. Read also: 'How do I cope with a job that takes so much time away from my child?' — Man asks as he's 'scared of missing out on time' with his daughter Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
South China Morning Post
13-05-2025
- South China Morning Post
Domestic helper arrested in Hong Kong for stealing HK$300,000 in cash, jewellery
Hong Kong police have arrested a domestic helper on suspicion of stealing cash and gold jewellery valued at nearly HK$300,000 (US$38,510) from her employer, the second such case in three days. Advertisement Police said a 43-year-old woman reported the incident at 1.40am on Tuesday, saying that cash and jewellery were missing and possibly stolen from her flat in Dragon Terrace, North Point. The force later arrested a 39-year-old domestic worker from the Philippines for allegedly stealing around HK$24,000 in cash and gold jewellery worth HK$275,000. No lost items have been retrieved yet, and officers from the Eastern police district are following up on the case, the force added. It was the second case of a domestic helper being arrested for allegedly stealing money and valuable items from their employers in three days. Advertisement On Sunday, a 43-year-old Indonesian helper was arrested after her employer reported an alleged theft at the upmarket residential complex The Leighton Hill.
South China Morning Post
12-05-2025
- South China Morning Post
Helper arrested in Hong Kong for allegedly stealing HK$203,000 from boss
Hong Kong police have arrested a domestic helper for allegedly stealing more than HK$203,000 (US$26,127) in cash from her employer's flat in Happy Valley. Advertisement The woman was detained on Sunday night, hours after her 63-year-old employer reported the theft at upmarket development The Leighton Hill. The helper, 43, was accused of stealing HK$200,000 in Hong Kong banknotes and 65,000 yen (US$446) from the flat, the force on Monday. The Indonesian helper was detained during an investigation by officers from Wan Chai police district, with about HK$10,000 in cash retrieved, it added. She remained in custody as of Monday morning. The Post has contacted the Indonesian consulate in Hong Kong for comment. Advertisement Last year, 22,433 theft cases were reported, a 3 per cent decrease from 2023. Only cases of shop theft recorded an increase, police said.
Independent Singapore
11-05-2025
- Independent Singapore
‘Do you check your helper's luggage on her last day of employment?' — Maid's employer seeks advice
SINGAPORE: An employer took to social media to seek advice on a potentially sensitive practice when a domestic helper leaves her role. Posting anonymously on Reddit's Ask Singapore forum on Saturday (May 10), she asked fellow employers, 'Do you check your helper's luggage or belongings on her last day of employment?' The employer explained in her post that her helper would be ending her employment in a few days and that she had been advised to inspect the helper's bags and boxes before departure to prevent possible theft. Hoping to hear from more experienced employers, she asked whether such checks are standard practice, and if anyone had ever regretted not conducting one. 'Better to be safe than regret it when it's too late…' In the comments, the majority of employers urged her to take the advice seriously and inspect her helper's belongings before she leaves. To illustrate the importance of this precaution, one commenter shared a cautionary tale involving her relative. 'My relative's helper baked a cake to bring home, and she forgot to bring it to the airport,' they wrote. '[The helper] went berserk at the airport despite the employer trying to calm her down and buying her cakes from the airport for the helper's relatives. When they went home later and cut the cake, they found the relative's mum's gold necklaces inside.' Another shared, 'Yes, make sure you do. One of my previous maids took almost all my gold and diamonds, and I was only aware of it after she left. And my son-in-law runs a maid agency; he has so many theft stories discovered before the maid leaves. Do it.' Some employers also acknowledged that although it might feel uncomfortable or awkward, taking this step can help prevent potential issues down the line. One said, 'Just check, bah. Better to be safe than regret it when it's too late. It's hard to locate the person once they've gone back home. You can be nice about it, such as saying it's just for security purposes, and then give her a gift or treat her to a meal and thank her for her service after the inspection.' Is it necessary to check a helper's belongings before she leaves? While the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) doesn't require employers to check a migrant domestic worker's (MDW) belongings before she leaves, some employers still choose to do so as a safety measure. That said, MOM's official requirements focus more on ensuring a smooth and fair departure. Employers must make sure the helper has a valid passport, has received all outstanding salary, and has agreed to her travel plans in writing. This includes details like connecting flights and layover times, along with enough money for the journey. Employers also need to buy her an air ticket and cover any transport costs to the nearest international airport to her hometown. Read related: Maid says her employer did not give her Labour Day off, even though her contract includes PH entitlements Featured image by freepik (for illustration purposes only)
