It is the employer s responsibility to prevent the maids changing job. This arrangement makes employers paranoid about letting their maids have a day off to socialise with friends. Many maids are never given time off, says the reporter, because employers wish to prevent them from trying to find other jobs, or a husband. Yet enforced captivity makes the maids vulnerable to other abuses. Male employers sometimes rape, sexually harass or assault them.
Some maids resort to desperate measures.
Increasing numbers have committed suicide since the beginning of the maid boom in 1979. The less desperate break their employment contracts by trying to find new jobs. Last year 40 were repatriated for this. There is little official concern for the maids plight. He regards the problem as minuscule .