Singaporean couple on trial for starving Filipina helper

MANILA, Philippines – A Singaporean couple is currently on trial for starving their Filipina domestic helper.

The 40-year-old starved domestic helper named Thelma Oyasan Gawidan on Monday took a stand before a Singaporean court to testify against her former employer Lim Choon Hong and his wife Chong Sui Foon who allegedly starved her, according to Channel News Asia.

Lim and Chong, both 47, now face charges under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act for failing to maintain their employee’s welfare. The couple could be jailed up to a year and/or fined up to 10,000 Singapore dollars if proven guilty.

Based on Gawidan’s testimony, in her year-and-a-half service with the employers, they only gave her instant noodles to eat twice a day. Sometimes, the couple will give her bread or on some occasions, a slice of tomato or cucumber.

Gawidan, who started working for the couple in January 2013, recalled that she was “shivering from hunger” and when asking for more food, she will get more but will get less on the next meal. She was also not allowed to eat out with the family. 

Due to this, Gawidan lost 20 kilograms and stopped getting her period while working for Lim and Chong. She only weighed 29 kilograms when she escaped her employers’ Orchard Road condominium in April 2014.

"I became skinny. I didn't recognize myself when I looked in the mirror," a report quoted her during the trial.

Aside from starving her, Christina Quek, investigation officer in charge of the case, said Gawidan was allowed to take a shower only once or twice a week, to ensure that she is not using any hot water. She was also forced to shower in the condominium’s public toilet.

Gawidan complained that she was also overworked and was asked to work odd hours and even for 24 hours.

The domestic helper escaped in April 2014 and sought help from HOME, a non-profit organization for migrant workers.