Strip Searched: Mary's Story
Filipina, 33 years
Mary’s name has been changed to protect her right to privacy

Mary came to Singapore from the Philippines to work as a domestic worker, but instead found herself repeatedly exploited and abused.

It all began with her employment agency. She was made to remove all her clothing, including her underwear, during an “inspection” conducted by a female member of the agency’s staff. Stark naked in a room with two other new foreign domestic workers in the same state of complete nudity, Mary endured the indignity of having her genital area probed with a ballpoint pen by that agency staff member.

Being new to the country, she endured this outright violation, not knowing any better. Mary said, “[I thought] it’s okay… because I’m new and I don’t know the right rule.”Mary’s first employer illegally deployed her at a factory, cleaning toilets and packing nuts for the employer’s business. She went back to the agency after a month, where she was made to clean a three-storey flight of stairs until 2AM as punishment. She was woken at 5AM the next day to clean the agency’s lodging house and while cleaning the same flight of stairs again late that night, she passed out and fell down the stairs.

The agent claimed that such harsh punishments are a matter of routine, to discourage the maids from returning to the agency when they encounter difficulties with their employers. Mary’s second employer also illegally deployed her, this time at the employer’s nail care shop, where the agent forced her to work, despite her misgivings. “The agent force[d] me to sign an agreement that [said] I agree to work in that shop,” Mary said, “But it was against my will because I knew it’s illegal.

Mary eventually returned to the agency to look for a third employer. The agent found one, but Mary did not find relief.

Under her new employer, Mary was denied adequate rest, nutrition and medical attention.  “[I get] four hours of sleep every day, [eat instant noodles] and bread every day,“Mary said. “I got sick. I don’t even have a chance to see a doctor.” All the while having to juggle household chores and taking care of the employer’s two young children – a 3-year-old toddler and an 8-month-old infant.

She also suffered verbal and physical attacks from the employer’s mother, who yelled at and hit her. The mother once forcefully pulled Mary by the arm, causing her head to bang against a door. In addition, perhaps unsurprisingly, her employer also failed to pay her $20 per month salary.

Asked about how she feels about this ordeal, Mary smiled at us weakly and said, "I came to Singapore hoping to get a good employer but things have not turned out the way I expected. I'm not sure if I want to continue working here again."

Mary is now gainfully re-employed. She is extremely happy with her new employer who allows her a weekly day-off and shows appreciation for her service to the family.

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