Many maids endure living hell

Michael Chua must be dreaming when he says that domestic helpers in Hong Kong 'live in heaven' (letter, South China Morning Post, October 28).

Many domestics have to share a tiny room with the children of the family they work for.

They are frequently kept awake by their employers playing mahjong and if there is a very young child, the maid has to get up during the night when the baby wakes up.

They have to look after those family members who are sick or disabled. Some employers will keep a strict check on the contents of the fridge, forbidding the helper from taking any food for herself.

Consequently, the maid often has to buy her own breakfast and lunch out of her earnings. And Mr Chua calls this heaven.

There are some helpers who have good employers, but for many their time here is a living hell.