Abusive employers in Singapore face a total of seven charges
On Monday (19 Oct), two Singaporean women appeared in court on suspicion of abusing their domestic helpers, Zaobao reported.
The accused were 50-year-old Saloni Neeraj Samnani and 49-year-old D G Carole Ann.
The former faces two charges of intentionally harming a domestic helper and four charges for violating the Harassment Prevention Act.
D G Carole Ann is charged with intentionally injuring a helper.
50-year-old woman allegedly physically and verbally assaulted two helpers
Between June and Dec 2023, Samnani was accused of abusing two domestic helpers at home.
According to the charge sheet, the employer allegedly assaulted the first helper on 24 June 2023.
This included hitting her arm and face, kicking her legs, striking her shoulder blades and head with a metal spoon, and striking her legs with a broom handle.
This resulted in a cut on her lips, and bruises over her limbs.
That month, Samnani also threatened to put chili peppers into the helper’s eyes.
She said that she would shut off the water so that the she would be unable to wash her eyes.
Samnani also reportedly called the domestic helper an ‘anjing’, which translates to ‘dog’ in Malay.
She then threatened to force-feed her pork and tell her family.
The charge sheet stated that Samnani made insulting comments about the helper’s religion.
I swear I make you eat pork one day… you are not Muslim… In the food I put pork. You see… I will tell your family you eat babi (pig) also.
Employer cursed the second domestic helper’s family
That same year, Samnani was also accused of abusing a second domestic helper.
On 14 Dec 2023, the woman hit the helper’s forehead using a metal spoon and caused bodily trauma.
More instances of verbally abusive behaviour were reported.
Samnani allegedly directed vulgarities towards her such as “bastard” and “ugly, rotten, full of shit inside”.
She cursed the helper’s entire family, saying she would “shed blood and tears”. She proceeded to threaten to cut her off from her family by turning the her phone off.
You will see what happens to your family. And you will not know because your handphone will be off. You will not know anything. That’s my promise.
Source: Windah Limbai via Unsplash
49-year-old abusive employer named, cases temporarily adjourned
On 8 April, 49-year-old D G Carole Ann was accused of punching a helper’s cheek at home.
This caused her to experience cheek pain and a headache.
Further details regarding the incident have not been disclosed.
Both cases have been adjourned to 10 Nov for an official hearing.
If found guilty, the women can face a fine of up to S$10,000, six years’ imprisonment, or both.
According to Section 73 of the Penal Code, an employer convicted of abusing a domestic worker may be sentenced to twice the maximum punishment that the court could impose.
Also read: 55-year-old woman in S’pore jailed for assaulting maid in lift, ordered to pay S$5,000 compensation
55-year-old woman in S’pore jailed for assaulting maid in lift, ordered to pay S$5,000 compensation
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Featured image adapted from Windah Limbai on Unsplash (left) and SG Courts (right).