Singapore jails couple for starving Filipino helper...

A Singapore court jailed a couple on Monday for starving their Filipino domestic helper, a case that highlighted what rights groups say is a common complaint in the wealthy city-state.

Thelma Oyasan Gawidan, 40, weighed just 29.4kg in April 2014 after being given too little to eat for about 15 months, prosecutors said.

She was given 2-3 slices of plain white bread and 1-2 packets of instant noodles for breakfast, while for her second and last meal of the day she was given 5-6 slices of plain bread, prosecutors said.

Lim Choon Hong was jailed for three weeks and fined S$10,000 ($7,200), while his wife, Chong Sui Foon, got three months with no fine. They had both pleaded guilty.

Prosecutors said they would appeal. The maximum penalty is 12 months imprisonment and a S$10,000 fine.

"I accept that... you are remorseful and that you did not intentionally seek to starve your maid," Judge Low Wee Ping said. Full story...

Related posts:

1. Vengeful Singapore employers framing their maids...
2. Singapore's domestic workers routinely exploited and often abused in the...
3. Singapore's foreign maids exploited by agents, employers...
4. A Burmese maid's ordeal in Singapore...
5. Shopping mall in Singapore found to be selling housemaids like commodities...
6. Migrant workers reveal hidden side to Singapore...
7. Unwelcome in Singapore, but life-giver to his family in India...
8. Myanmar suspends work permits for maids heading to Singapore...