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Comment by shell0x | Hacker News Reader

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shell0x·

You realize this is the standard in Asia right? They only cost like 2.5k a month which is pretty good value

https://www.life.gov.sg/guides/domestic-helper

https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/foreign_domestic_...

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OK, just seems weird from my cultural experience, and the way I was reading your comment it sounded 'entitled' (likely due to the cultural difference).

Describing it as "pretty good value" bothers me in a number of contexts.

I'm also fine with this never becoming a thing in Australia. Not sure how out-of-touch or in-touch that makes me, but that's how I feel nonetheless.

@Loocid, thanks for saying what I was dancing around.

Its too close to slavery for my liking. Yes they are paid but 2.5k per month is very low for Singapore, they work massive hours, they rely on you for shelter, and are very likely from much poorer neighbouring countries that are trying to support family back home.

The whole power dynamic is extremely exploitable which results in a lot of abuse cases.

They would be much worse off if they stay in their own country and they even get 1 day rest per week.

Yes exactly, which is why the system is so ripe for abuse. A third of live in maids in Singapore report abuse by their employers.

I don't consider taking someone out of a shit situation into a slightly less shit situation for your huge benefit all that benevolent personally.

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