A Person Tried to Sell Maids on Carousell & MOM Stepped In

Carousell is like a black market. More powderful than any pasar malam, people say you can buy and sell anything in this market.

Including cheating husbands

HDB Flats, or specifically, the Yistana.

And maids.

Wait-what?

Yeah, some ballsy seller decided that selling maids on Carousell was a good idea.

You see, the first few ones were merely jokes. But this: this is real.

Here’s what happened

On 14 Sep, All Singapore Stuff posted this image with the caption:

Is it humane to “sell maids” on Carousell? They should not be treated like objects! Is it even allowed? 

The netizen, only known as Michael S, said he found a listing by @maid.recruitment advertising domestic helpers from Indonesia.

Mugshots of maids were featured on the listing and some of the women were even labelled as “sold”.

MOM Got Involved

While it’s good to get on with technology, selling humans as though they’re objects might’ve crossed the line.

Okay, fine, a line was crossed.

And we know that because the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) got involved.

In case you can’t read, here’s what they said:

MOM is aware of cases where foreign domestic workers (FDWs) are being marketed inappropriately on the online buying and selling site, Carousell. We are investigating these cases, and have arranged for these listings to be taken down.

Advertising FDWs like commodities is unacceptable and an offence under Section 11(1)(c) of the Employment Agencies Act, which states that an employment agency (EA) should not act in a manner likely to be detrimental to the interests of its clients. If found guilty, an EA will face demerit points and have its licence suspended or revoked.

MOM expects EAs to be responsible and exercise sensitivity when marketing their services. MOM’s previously issued guidelines to EAs on responsible advertising practices are available on the MOM website here: https://www.mom.gov.sg/…/employment-agency-public…/ea-alerts

In addition, it is a serious offence to conduct EA activities without a valid licence. Offenders can be fined up to $80,000 and/or jailed for up to two years. Anyone who uses the services provided by an unlicensed EA can also be fined up to $5,000.

The public is advised to use only MOM-licensed EAs, and to make use of the online EA Directory (http://www.mom.gov.sg/eadirectory) to check that the EA they wish to engage is registered and legal.

MOM said that they were aware of cases like that and are conducting investigations into these cases.

They emphasised that advertising domestic workers like objects is an offence under the Employment Agencies Act.

Employment agencies (EA) found to be engaging in such activities might get demerit points or have its license suspended or taken away.

MOM urged Singapore EAs to check out their guidelines on advertising practices.

This Is Actually Against Carousell Guidelines

Now, if you’re thinking of trying the same thing, don’t. It’s actually against Carousell’s guidelines.

“Any display or sharing of individuals’ personal biodata is strictly prohibited, as this violates our guidelines.”

The listing has since been removed and Carousell assured the public that no sale had happened.

They are currently assisting MOM in its investigations and assured the public that this isn’t allowed on their platform.

Netizens’ Reactions

Given how some Singaporean employees treat their domestic workers, some netizens felt that this just reinforce Singapore’s modern-day slavery image

Others think there’s nothing wrong and Michael S is making a mountain out of a molehill.

But one netizen put it correctly.

It can be pretty uncomfortable putting a price on a human being like that.

Make Sure To Check For License Before Engaging Maids in S’pore

In their advisory on “Selling maids on Carousell”, MOM also reiterate the need for EA in Singapore to have valid licenses before they can start dealing in human lives.

If found without a valid license, offenders can be fined up to $80,000, jailed up to two years, or both.

And even if you’re the customer, make sure you check properly first before doing anything.

Because if you’ve used the services provided by an employment agency without license, you can be fined up to $5,000.

You can check whether the agency you’re looking to engage a foreign domestic worker has a valid license here.