Why SRC Recruitment Got in Hot Water for Selling Maids on Carousell
Picture this: a bustling online marketplace, a slew of bright‑eyed maids, and an agency’s adverts that could’ve been ripped straight from a bargain bin. That’s what happened at SRC Recruitment and why the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) slapped them with 243 charges on Thursday, October 4th.
The Snapshot of the Snafu
- Who: SRC Recruitment, a human‑resources firm, and one of its own staff, 41‑year‑old Erleena Mohd Ali.
- When: Ads ran between September 1st and 17th.
- The Issue: The posts on Carousell turned maids into “products” and left out the agency’s name and licence number.
- Result: SRC faces 144 charges under the Employment Agencies Act; Erleena faces 99.
What the Ministry of Manpower Said
MOM’s statement was clear: no one should be treated as a commodity. The adverts showed the faces of Indonesian maids with captions like “sold,” which MOM found downright disrespectful.
In fact, MOM got the warning flag on September 14th, posted a Facebook notice, and made it crystal‑clear that agencies must treat their clients—and especially their maid hires—with dignity and care.
The Consequences
- License Suspended: SRC can no longer deploy foreign domestic workers.
- Deregistration: Erleena is no longer an officially registered employment agency personnel.
How You Can Help
Got a shiny idea—or a shady post—to report? MOM invites anyone who knows of any violations to reach out via the MOM website (no links, but just a quick search), or give them a friendly ring at 6438 5122.
Bottom Line
In the world of employment agencies, treating a maid as a novelty item isn’t just bad manners—it’s illegal and outrageous. SRC and Erleena have learned that lesson the hard way, and MOM’s punchline remains loud: Let’s keep our service adverts human, not hawk‑like.
