A recent viral video has stirred the internet’s ire, showcasing a heated exchange between a Singaporean influencer and her domestic worker. The footage has drawn widespread criticism.
A video featuring a Singaporean social media influencer harshly criticizing her domestic worker has ignited significant backlash online. The clip, shared by the Regent Maid Agency, shows the influencer, identified as Ms. L, reprimanding the worker over her slow pace in completing household chores. Uploaded on September 16, the incident quickly spread across social media platforms.
In the recording, Ms. L is seen documenting the worker’s task completion times, expressing frustration over what she perceives as inefficiency. Her tone grows increasingly aggressive, culminating in her shouting and slamming her hand on the table. Throughout the encounter, the domestic worker, from Myanmar, stays silent, visibly flinching at the influencer’s harsh reprimands.
The video showcases troubling behaviour from Ms. L, with experts citing two prominent signs of abuse. Overwork: Allegedly, Ms. L forced her worker to continue working late into the night to meet her standards, breaching regulations ensuring a minimum of eight hours of rest. Verbal Abuse: Ms. L’s derogatory comments, such as “What do you think you are?”, reflect an abusive work environment. The incident prompted the Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE) to intervene.
@mothershipsg She logged every minute of the domestic worker’s work. The Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE) has escalated the case to the Ministry of Manpower for investigations. #sgnews #sgtiktok #sgfyp #fyp #singapore
Following the video’s release, social media users across Facebook and TikTok expressed their dismay. The aggressive tone and dismissive demeanour shown by Ms. L attracted widespread condemnation. Comments highlighted the importance of respect and clear communication in employer-employee relationships. The public overwhelmingly supported the domestic worker, criticising Ms. L for her behaviour.
Despite attempts to justify her actions, Ms. L’s plans backfired as her conduct was met with severe criticism. Although her full name was withheld, her identity as a social media influencer was confirmed, and her actions have led to calls for social and legal repercussions. Netizens even suggested revealing her identity publicly.
This incident underscores ongoing issues related to the treatment of foreign domestic workers in Singapore. The Ministry of Manpower and organisations like the Centre for Domestic Employees strive to protect these workers’ rights. Language barriers, isolation, and economic dependence often render them susceptible to abuse, as evidenced by ACT Against Violence’s identification of common mistreatment forms, including overwork and verbal abuse.
The situation involving Ms. L serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by domestic workers in Singapore. With pressure mounting on social media, advocates hope to see improved protection measures and a greater emphasis on respect and understanding between employers and their domestic help.
The video highlights ongoing issues regarding domestic worker mistreatment, prompting discussions on social media and calls for better worker protection.
