READ: OFW in Singapore Loses 20kgs After Employer Only Feeds Her Instant Noodles for More Than A Year , It was on December 2015 when this story published of an Pinay OFW who suffered from her abusive employer in Singapore. Now according to Channel News Asia, Singaporean couple accused of starving their maid over 15 months indicated on Tuesday (Mar 22) that they intend to plead guilty.
Lim Choon Hong and Chong Sui Foon, both 47, are on trial for starving Ms Thelma Oyasan Gawidan, 40, causing her weight to drop from 49kg to 29kg in almost 15 months.
A Singaporean couple Lim Choon Hong (left) and Chong Sui Foon are on trial for allegedly starving their Filipina domestic helper – Image credit ChannelNewsAsia
The couple face charges under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, which states that employers are responsible for the “maintenance” of their foreign employee, including proving them with adequate food.
Ms Oyasan earlier testified that she fled only after being mistreated and starved for over a year, as her employers were always following her around the house.
Ms Thelma Oyasan Gawidan, 40, causing her weight to drop from 49kg to 29kg in almost 15 months.
“Every movement I do in the house, they are following, watching me, scolding me,” she told the court in December last year.
Maid agent had also testified that Ms Thelma was not the first maid to complain of not being given adequate food or rest under the Lims’ employment.
However, Lim had earlier said that he had never restricted Ms Thelma in any way. He also said his wife was obsessive about food because she had been diagnosed with anorexia nervosa as a teenager, and also suffered from obsessive compulsive disorder.
The couple are on bail of S$3,000 each, and face up to 12 months’ imprisonment and a fine of S$10,000 if convicted.
Their case will be next heard on Wednesday.
