Singapore Homeowner Faces a $46,000 Fine After Daring Scaffold Adventure
Overview:
Willow Phua Brest, a 46‑year‑old housewife from Cluny Park, was handed a hefty penalty for letting her Indonesian maids climb onto a two‑storey scaffold to clean windows. The court case sheds light on how Singapore’s employment laws now hold employers accountable for work‑site safety.
Why the Scaffold Drama Unfolded
In October last year, Brittany (yes, she called herself Brittany) hired a pair of helpers, Karsinah (39) and Dati (43), to tidy up her home’s second‑floor windows. She lured them to a homemade tower that, to say the least, was more an architectural experiment than a professional setup.
- Strike One: The scaffold was raised on Oct 9, and the haints of Himalayan mis‑judgment began.
- Strike Two: The duo performed the cleaning tasks on Oct 11 and Oct 13, wearing safety gear that was more “fashion accessory” than functional gear.
- Stride Three: Safety belts, masks, gloves, and an extended wiper were present, but not enough to tackle a fall from a 4.5‑meter height.
What the Court Said
Judge Adam Nakhoda was not amused. Prosecutor Shanty Priya pointed out that the safety belts were subpar and that the ladies were not trained for height work. Even the guardrails, which a proper scaffold would sport, were missing.
When Brittany tried to improvise another scaffold at the back of her house, contractors declined, leaving it incomplete. Brittany eventually asked Karsinah to help assemble a 4.5‑m scaffold in the backyard, which took about three hours. They then had Karsinah sand, varnish, and paint a wooden wall while standing on that flimsy structure.
Case Significance
This verdict marks the first time Singapore’s Employment of Foreign Manpower Act has been invoked for scaffold safety violations. The law, amended in 2012, now comes with increased penalties for employers who put their domestic workers at risk.
The Bottom Line from MOM
Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Statement: Employers have a legal duty to create safe working conditions for foreign domestic workers. The safety of these workers was compromised in this case and is unacceptable.
Director Jeanette Har from MOM’s Foreign Manpower Management Division summed it up: “Lives and limbs are at stake. This is an egregious case. The risks were real and obvious, but the employer was oblivious.” She concluded that stern actions would await any employer who neglects these responsibilities.
Comparing Cases
A similar incident occurred with 35‑year‑old Belinda Huber (also known as Belinda Tran). She allegedly had her maid climb onto the second‑storey glass ceiling of a house on Goldhill Avenue. If found guilty, the punishment could be up to a year in jail and a $10,000 fine.
Both cases remind us that under Singapore law, employers must treat domestic workers with the same respect and safety as any other employee.
Takeaway
The crunching numbers and legal jargon mask one simple truth: safety isn’t optional. It’s a right. And when employers push the limits, the law will back up that right—no matter how much climbing the yard scape seems fun.
