A Bed Behind A Divider: Singapore Couple's Helper Setup Draws Online Backlash

A Singapore woman has faced criticism online after sharing how she arranged a sleeping space for her domestic helper in their 4-room BTO flat.

In her now-deleted IG post, she said she and her husband had placed a single bed in a room that also had a work desk, with a divider installed to create a visual barrier around the helper's sleeping area. The woman also said they bought a mini night light to avoid taking up floor space.

After the post drew criticism online, the woman deleted it. She later shared a clarification and apologised if the original post had come across as insensitive or given the impression that the helper was confined to the small space behind the divider.

According to her clarification, the room was used as a work area during the day and became entirely the helper's space at night. She said she and her husband would knock before entering the room, while the couple would use the desk outside if they needed to work after hour.

She also said they had considered having the helper share a room with their baby, but decided against it as the baby still wakes occasionally at night, which could affect the helper's sleep.

The woman acknowledged that sharing a room was not ideal but said limited space and their circumstances meant moving to a larger home was not currently an option.

She said her intention was to share how they were trying to accommodate a helper in a smaller home, rather than portray the arrangement as a "luxurious setup"

The incident touches on a longstanding issue surrounding accommodation for migrant domestic workers (MDWs) in Singapore.

Singapore NGO HOME has previously documented disparities in accommodation provided to MDWs, with some workers reporting that they had to share rooms with children or elderly family members, while others slept in storage cupboards or communal spaces.

The organisation said such arrangements could leave workers with inadequate privacy and limited opportunities to rest after work.

According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), employers are required to provide MDWs with accommodation that offers "adequate space and privacy"

While MOM recommends that MDWs be given a separate room, employers must still ensure adequate space and privacy when this is not possible. MDWs must also not sleep in the same room as a male adult or teenager.

However, providing a separate and private space can be challenging in smaller homes.

An analysis of HDB data by HousingMap.sg found that the average flat size fell from around 120 sq m for flats leased between 1991 and 1996 to about 78 sq m for BTO projects launched in 2010.