An Indonesian maid, Rabia, tragically lost five fingers on her right hand after a horrific accident involving an electric meat grinder at her employer’s bakery in Joo Chiat. The incident occurred in June 2019 when Rabia was grinding sardines at Mastura Bakery. Her glove got caught in the machine, pulling her fingers into the grinder. Despite screaming for help and turning off the machine, Rabia’s fingers could not be saved.
During a recent hearing, it was revealed that Rabia was tasked with helping at the bakery three to four times a week, alongside her domestic duties, without receiving additional pay. The prosecutor highlighted that Rabia lacked proper training for the job, and the meat grinder was missing a crucial safety feature. Rabia’s employers, Mastura and Effendi, also faced charges related to the incident, with Mastura pleading guilty to violating the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act and the Workplace Safety and Health Act. Effendi admitted to similar violations for judicial consideration.
This incident is not isolated. In 2019, another maid, Vinani, was injured while using the same meat grinder. Moreover, a similar accident occurred in January 2019, when a Myanmar maid lost four fingers at a food stall where she was forced to work without additional pay.
Foreign domestic workers in Singapore are legally required to perform only domestic chores at their employer’s residence, and cannot take on work for others.