‘Is it normal for helpers to not eat a lot?’ — Employer concerned MoM will hold her accountable if something happens to her maid

SINGAPORE: After noticing that her domestic helper had been eating “very tiny” portions during mealtimes, an employer took to social media to ask netizens “whether this behaviour was normal.”

Posting in the ‘MDW in Singapore’ group on Saturday (Apr 5), the employer shared that she was worried the lack of food might affect her helper’s energy levels and ability to carry out her tasks effectively.

She also raised a more serious concern: If something were to happen to the helper due to poor nutrition, would the Ministry of Manpower (MoM) hold her accountable as the employer?

“What if MoM says we, the employers, never gave sufficient meals? Or if something happens due to lack of nutrition, etc.? It becomes the employer’s problem again,” she said.

“Maybe she has some problem, madam…”

In the comments, many other employers chimed in, offering possible explanations for why the helper might not be eating much. One suggested that the helper could be “on a diet,” while another speculated that the helper might simply be a small eater by nature.

A third commenter raised a more concerning possibility, saying, “Maybe she has some problem, madam.”

A fourth shared her own personal experience, writing, “My helper also doesn’t eat a lot because she is single, so scared of gaining weight, and she is not used to the taste of food here.”

Meanwhile, some netizens offered practical advice, suggesting that the employer simply ask the helper directly about why she doesn’t want to eat. A few even recommended being more proactive in offering a variety of food, trying to find something the helper would enjoy more, or even encouraging her to eat smaller, more frequent meals if she’s worried about gaining weight.

One domestic helper commented, “That was also my employer’s problem before. Not until my ma’am encouraged me to eat more and let me cook any food I wanted, especially letting me eat rice three times a day and taking vitamins will help too.”

To ensure that domestic helpers are well-nourished and capable of performing their duties effectively, MoM has mandated that employers provide them with three meals per day.

Additionally, MOM advises employers to consider their helpers’ personal tastes and dietary preferences when preparing meals.

In other news, a young man in his final year of university felt utterly discouraged after realising that no matter how much effort he puts in, he just doesn’t seem to tick any boxes that seem to matter most to women.

Venting on the r/askSingapore Reddit forum on Thursday (Apr 3), he wrote, “I overheard some of my girl-friends talking about their dating preferences, and it really opened my eyes. I realised I hadn’t ticked a single one of their boxes. Not looks, not height, not status. It made me wonder if the game was already over for me before it even started.”

Read also: ‘I don’t tick any of their boxes. Not looks, not height, not status’: Man feels discouraged after finding out women’s standards

Featured image by freepik (for illustration purposes only)