About UPI  |  UPI en Español   |   My Account
Free News Update:
United Press International - News. Analysis. Insight.™ - 100 Years of Journalistic Excellence
  • Home
  • Top News
  • Entertainment
  • Odd News
  • Sports
    • Baseball
    • Football
    • Golf
    • Olympics 2008
    • Tennis
  • Business
  • Science
  • Health
  • Analysis
    • Energy Resources
    • Security Industry
    • Emerging Threats
  • Media
    • Video
    • News Photos
  • Features
    • The Voice of Young Voters
    • Path to the Presidency
    • Energy
    • Beijing Olympics 2008
Search:
Go
You are here:  Home / Odd News / Despite low pay, Singapore maids happy

Odd News

View archive | RSS Feed

Despite low pay, Singapore maids happy

Published: Dec. 27, 2003 at 10:40 PM
Order reprints  |  Print Story  |  Email to a Friend  |  Post a Comment

SINGAPORE, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- A survey in Singapore Sunday suggested most of its 140,000 maids are happy, despite low pay and long hours.

The survey, conducted by the Straits Times, had 284 respondents, 82% of whom said they were happy with how they were treated by their employers. The average pay is $261 a month, below the minimum of $300 to $350 a month relief agencies say is a living wage in Singapore.

Most of the maids come from Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and India.

Their day usually starts at 6 a.m. and often goes until between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.. Only about half get days off and then, just one day a month.

About three out of 10 say they get shouted at by family members but only one in a hundred say they have been physically abused.

All of the maids surveyed said they get three meals a day.

RATE THIS ARTICLE
    Poor    1    2    3    4    5  Excellent       


© 2003 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Have an opinion? Leave a comment. No Registration Required.
News Photos Slideshows
Photos of the Day
Week in Photos
News
Entertainment
Sports
Features
Archives
Olympics 2008
Path to the Presidency
Additional News Stories
Entertainment News
    'DWTS' star May-Treanor set for surgery
    'DWTS' star May-Treanor set for surgery
    LOS ANGELES, Oct. 7 (UPI) --
    U.S. beach volleyball Olympic champion Misty May-Treanor said she needs surgery after injuring herself while rehearsing for "Dancing with the Stars."
  • Japanese actor Ken Ogata dead at 71
  • Jolie faced her fears for 'Changeling'
  • Lawyer: David Duchovny is out of rehab
  • Anne Hathaway joins 'Wonderland' cast
Odd News
  • Your Daily Horoscope
  • Jockstrip: The world as we know it.
  • Watercooler Stories
  • The almanac
  • Man claims he unwillingly had sex
Top News
  • Grieving Louisville woman kills kids, self
  • Tropical Storm Marco nears Mexican coast
  • Lawsuit filed in tainted milk scandal
  • Report: Tibet quake kills 9
  • U.S. military disputes Iran's jet report
Business News
  • Crude oil prices head up
  • Wachovia and suitors agree to talk
  • Appliance tycoon named China's wealthiest
  • Global credit crisis lacks global response
  • Markets move into positive territory
Best of Odd News
Your Daily Horoscope
The almanac
UPI Features - The Voice of Young Voters
Most Popular
Stories
Photos
Videos
People
1.
Crab videotaped riding giant jellyfish
2.
Couple told too heavy for plane take off
3.
Watermelon-eating dog prompts stabbing
4.
Nude Palin painting came from 'a crush'
5.
Olympian: Bikinis better for volleyball




Videos
Enlarge Video
Campaigns go personal
Campaigns go personal
Monday, October 6
Reaction: Obama leads Virginia
Reaction: Obama leads Virginia
Friday, October 3
Poll: Palin beat expectations, but Biden won
Poll: Palin beat expectations, but Biden won
Friday, October 3
College students react to fiscal crisis
College students react to fiscal crisis
Friday, October 3
© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Official Government Wires  |   About UPI  |   Site Map  |   Terms of Use  |   Privacy Policy  |   Advertise Online  |   Contact Us

Sponsored Links: Auto Dealers - College Football Tickets - Fundraisers - Press Release Services - prom dresses - Prom dresses and gowns - Public Records - Wedding and Honeymoon Experts - Motivational Sports Speakers Bureau