For many domestic helpers in Singapore, their work revolves around typical household chores such as cooking, cleaning, and caring for children or the elderly. However, Astinar, an Indonesian domestic helper, has an additional skill that sets her apart: driving.
In a heartfelt Facebook post on April 13, Astinar expressed deep gratitude toward her employers for not only funding her driving lessons but also allowing her to drive the family car. “It’s been four years [since I started] driving,” she shared. “Even by [saying ‘thank you’ a thousand times to them, it’s] still not enough to express my gratitude.”
Astinar, who posted a photo of her employers, Mr. Ong Thiam Huat and Mrs. Er Shu Qian, referred to them with warmth and appreciation. She ended her post with blessings for them and shared a video of herself driving the family’s Mercedes, an experience that has left many people on social media impressed.
One Facebook user praised Astinar’s achievement, commenting, “Upskilling. Now this helper is not just any ordinary helper but even more than that.”
While Astinar’s story is a more positive example, domestic helpers in Singapore have faced challenges with driving as part of their duties. In 2012, an Indonesian maid with a valid Singapore driving license was involved in a road accident while driving her employer. She faced verbal abuse from the other driver, and her employer, who stepped in to defend her, was sentenced to jail.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has made it clear that driving is not a typical responsibility for domestic helpers, as it could breach the terms of their Work Permit. MOM does, however, consider exceptions on a case-by-case basis, requiring employers to seek approval for their domestic helpers to drive.
Astinar’s story is one of success and appreciation, and it highlights the rare but inspiring instances where domestic helpers in Singapore have the opportunity to develop additional skills and be valued beyond their usual duties.
AsiaOne has reached out to Astinar for further comments.