A couple in Singapore was found gui lty of abu sing their maid physically and verbally. They are facing their respective sentences as a consequence of treating her inhumanely.
A 32-year-old Myanmar national named Moe Moe Than started working for the couple since January 8, 2012. She claimed she was repeatedly maltreated by her employers by caning her, kicking her and not given with sufficient food.
She added that she was also forced to work in one instance just wearing a bra and shorts. She was caned while being half naked which Moe-Moe said was very humiliating. She was given rice and sugar as her meal and asked to eat her vomit when she threw up after.
She was allowed to use the toilet up to 3 times only each day.
Moe Moe attested that she was a bused not only physically but verbally as well. Her life was even threatened when the couple said they will hire a kill er to end her life.
After the 31-day trial in court, District Judge Olivia Low convicted a couple of maid abuse on Ma4ch 4 and sentenced the couple on March 18, 2019.
The female employer, a 43-year-old former sales manager named Chia Yun Liang has sentenced to 3 years and 11 months imprisonment and was asked to pay Moe Moe a fine of $4,000 and $6,500 as compensation.
On the other hand, her husband, 41-year-old Tay Wee Kiat who was a former IT manager was sentenced to 2 years in jail and to pay $3,000 to Moe Moe as additional compensation.
The court noted that Tay abused Moe Moe by caning her with a broomstick and metal clothing hook while kicking her in “push-up” position.
Chia was convicted of 8 assault charges and one count for using ab usive language towards Moe Moe. The court also found her guil ty of violating the rules under The Employment of Foreign Manpower Act. Tay was guilty of 6 assault charges.
Judge Low said,“The deprivation of a basic human right to manage one’s bodily functions strikes at the core of one’s dignity… and constituted ill treatment.”
The couple’s ma ltreatment on Moe Moe came to light last November 12, 2012 when she informed her Myanmar agent about her plight.
Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower was alerted with her case which lead to the trial in court where Moe Moe attested and her employers were called to answer the charges filed against them.
