Singaporean faces charges for beating Filipino helper

MANILA, Philippines – Jonna Memeje Muegue, 26, a Filipino domestic worker in Singapore, testified against her former employer over allegations that she was physically abused and detained over the course of her employment in 2011 until 2012.

According to a report in The Straits Times, Chua Siew Peng, 43, is on trial for “wrongfully confining” Muegue, her former household helper.

Muegue recalled that on October 29, 2012, she was “punched, slapped and slammed against the wall” by Lum Wai Lui, Peng’s mother, for eating fish that was not meant for her.

Muegue, who is no longer working for Peng, said that her former employer treated her well in the beginning, but became abusive months into her employment.

Muegue told the Straits Times, “She used bleach on me and she poured bleach on my hands and my body.”

On October 30, 2012, Muegue broke her legs jumping out of the window of the condominium where she was confined. Shortly after, she was helped by a local organization and confined in a nursing home before being released to work again.

The trial is ongoing. – Rappler.com