250 calories...which is all some maids get to eat a day

THEY need about 2,100 calories a day, yet some employers feed them only 200.

Yesterday, The Straits Times reported that the problem of maids being starved by their employers is disturbingly common, highlighting the case of one Filipina whose daily 'ration' consisted of a slice of bread and a bowl of porridge.

Nutritionists and doctors told The Sunday Times that with their high levels of activity, a low-calorie intake like that would eventually cause a maid to waste away.

In fact, nutritionist Cyndy Au was shocked to hear about the diet the 30-year-old woman endured for six weeks.

'Any layman can tell that someone having these meals would be grossly undernourished,' she said.

The issue was raised in a letter to The Straits Times' Forum page on Friday, when research director Laura Thornton-Olivry said her neighbour's maid had been begging for food through the back window.

Also, in a case before the courts, an Indonesian maid whose employer has been accused of abusing her said she had also been starved.

These cases are nothing new.

In 2002, a maid fed on a diet of nothing but instant noodles, who stole food from her employer's children, was beaten to death.

Her employer, freelance tour guide Ng Hua Chye, was sentenced to 18 1/2 years in jail and given 12 strokes of the cane.

Looking at examples of the spartan meals given to some maids, Ms Au told The Sunday Times it is obvious that their 'energy intake is much lower than the energy required, especially considering the nature of the work'.

According to the Health Promotion Board's website, a woman aged between 18 and 30 who weighs about 54kg would need 2,100 calories a day if she engages in medium levels of activity.

However, a daily intake of water, bread and watery porridge would not go beyond 250 calories.

Also, Ms Au pointed out that there is no variety.

'Not all food groups are present, hence the nutrients are not obtained to meet the daily requirement,' she said.

The food groups include rice and alternatives, which are a rich source of carbohydrates; fruit and vegetables, which provide vitamins, minerals and fibre; and meat and alternatives, which are a source of protein, calcium, iron and zinc.

She said these maids would feel tired, have low immunity and might suffer from giddiness and a lack of concentration.

General practitioner Lim Boon Hee said the diet is also likely to lead to digestion problems like gastric pains and wind.

Often, employers are not abusive from the onset.

Psychiatrist Brian Yeo said that when things are not done satisfactorily, employers may exercise passive forms of abuse like reducing pay or food. This abuse may escalate over time.

Psychologist Danny Ng said: 'It is really an issue of control and power. They can control someone else's diet and it is done to establish boundaries of who is the boss.'

Dr Ng and Dr Yeo agreed that abuse often occurs when employers who are stressed at work or home take their frustrations out on the maid.

There is no way to pick out possible abusers, but more often, they are women who are usually seen as responsible for the household and therefore take control, said Dr Yeo.

He added that the spouse, usually the husband, often does not intervene as it may appear he is siding with the maid against his wife.

But the problem is not always nasty employers.

'Sometimes it might be an issue of cultural differences,' said Mr Angland Seah, owner of maid agency AJS Manpower.

In the case of Filipino maids, he said they are used to a bowl of rice for breakfast and find that bread is not enough, so the company often advises employers to cook extra rice for dinner so the maid can have it in the morning.

Another maid agent Yeo Boon Loong said it is often a two-way problem.

'Maids and employers have different expectations and when they are not met, problems arise. But if employers can understand what the maid needs and give a proper meal, things might be easily resolved,' he said.

But Dr Lim thinks the onus is on the employer to provide better meals.

'Even a dog gets better treatment than this. Maids are also human, so they should be treated better.'

Troubled maids and concerned members of the public can call the Ministry of Manpower's toll-free hotline on 1800-339-5505.

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SHOCKING

'Any layman can tell that someone having these meals would be grossly undernourished.'
MS CYNDY AU, a nutritionist

CONTROL AND POWER

'It is really an issue of control and power. They can control someone else's diet and it is done to establish boundaries of who is the boss and who can control the other.'
DR DANNY NG, a psychologist