SOJOURNERS : THE CASE OF INDONESIAN MAIDS IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

Filipino maids are a common sight in Singapore. Indonesian maids, next in numbers to the Filipinas, do not seem to have the same visual impact. There are some 15,000 Indonesian maids working in Singapore yet little is known about them. This study investigates the causes of their migration to Singapore to work as domestic servants and, more importantly, their working experiences here. On the whole, their experiences cannot be described as happy because of the forces and pressures that have been brought to bear on their working environment and private/social life. These forces and pressures at the different levels which give rise to their subordination and exploitation are described and analysed. The maids' perceptions of their job, the effects of the unfavourable working conditions and strict supervision by the employers on their self-esteem, and their coping strategies are also examined. In addition, I will look at the support networks provided by the Church for Christian Indonesian maids and the absence of such support networks for Muslim Indonesian maids. The study draws the conclusion that improvements to the terms of service and working conditions for the Indonesian maids can only come about if their Government intervenes on their behalf ( as shown by the results of such interventions by other Governments on behalf of their maids) or their employers in Singapore become more enlightened.