There’s no denying that we need money to live. However, there is a limit to how much we’re willing to stand for cash before it becomes too much. For this particular Indonesian domestic worker, she apparently hit her limit.
The domestic worker alleged that she’s been working for a wealthy “Tan Sri” in his 70s in Kota Damansara. Aside from working in difficult conditions, she has also not received her wages for the past 12 years.
According to Malaysiakini, the 43-year-old worker finally fled to the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur to seek refuge. She had apparently left her 18-hour employment that same day. After hearing her case, the embassy had apparently attempted to claim her unpaid wages via legal means. An embassy spokesperson stated her wages totalled RM106,000.
Unfortunately for the worker, her former employer’s son retaliated by filing a counter-claim. According to the claim, filed with the Labour Department, the domestic worker needed to pay RM500 as she had failed to give a 14-day termination notice. The spokesperson added that the counter-claim fee was the same amount she would have earned within the 14-day period.
The domestic helper from Malang, Indonesia, isn’t the first to have fled the residence apparently. There were two others before her who left during the past three years. However, she is the last and longest-serving worker. As it turns out, one of the previous maids had helped her leave the house.
Her daily routine would begin at 5am on an empty stomach. “I needed to get some of the chores done before the madam of the house woke,” she explained. If her work was unfinished, the madam of the house would scold her. She also only went to bed around midnight, after the madam had already gone to bed.
The petite woman stated she has been tolerating constant beratings and long-term physical fatigue for 12 years. Additionally, she recalled being slapped by her employer when she misplaced some medicine. She was also forbidden from owning a mobile phone. The first time she managed to contact her family was 2 years after she began her employment when she successfully borrowed a mobile phone to speak to them.
She once requested her employer to allow her to take her salary back to her home in Indonesia. At the time, she was told to wait for another helper to be employed. However, when she asked about her request and her salary from then on, her employer would not give a response.
After arriving at the embassy, the domestic worker contacted her parents. They asked her to return home immediately, however, she wants to wait. The 43-year-old hopes to regain her hard earned wages before leaving for her home country.
Sources: Malaysiakini (1)(2), China Press
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