Statement on the abuse suffered by Piang Ngaih Don

24 February 2021

Horrific, dehumanising, and abhorrent understates the abuse that Piang Ngaih Don faced. One can barely imagine the pain and helplessness that she must have felt, undergoing the abuse at her employer's hands, which eventually killed her. 

Piang was reportedly isolated in her employer's house, with no mobile phone, no rest days, and no means to seek help. She had only 5 hours of sleep nightly. Her meals consisted of bread soaked in water.

HOME regularly encounters domestic workers who are not allowed rest days or phones, particularly during the first few months of employment. Such isolating practices make domestic workers vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. HOME has advocated for domestic workers to be allowed to live outside their employers' houses.  A live-out option will make them less vulnerable to physical and sexual abuse, and help regulate their working hours. [1] Although a weekly day off was legislated in 2012, the law allows employers to pay workers in lieu. Guaranteeing weekly rest days in law will reduce domestic workers' susceptibility to abuse, by facilitating timely recourse to help. 

Domestic workers are recognised by our criminal law as vulnerable victims. Their abusers face enhanced punishments. However, by that time, the domestic worker would have already been subject to the abuse, with serious and often long-term impact on her physical and mental well-being. While accountability and punishment are important, we must do more to protect domestic workers, with strong legislation and pre-emptive measures. 

We also hope that medical professionals who encounter domestic and migrant worker patients showing signs of abuse will proactively take measures such as history-taking independently of employers; and flagging warning signs to the authorities, medical social workers, or organisations that assist migrant workers. Such simple steps may prevent further abuse.  While there are existing interview mechanisms for first-time domestic workers, we believe that these checks should be done consistently, in the absence of employers, for all domestic workers.

We grieve Piang's death. She leaves behind a young son who will grow up motherless. Her demise is symptomatic to us of the systemic issues that domestic workers face. We must do better to protect the safety and well-being of the domestic workers and migrant workers who come here to seek a better living for their families back home, and contribute to our country.

[1] Domestic workers are currently excluded from the Employment Act (EA), which regulates overtime pay, working hours, and public holidays. Allowing domestic workers to live out of their employers homes will assist in the enforcement of the EA.