SINGAPORE: Household expenses in Singapore rose in August 2024, as core inflation, a key measure excluding private transport and accommodation, increased to 2.7% year on year.

This followed a surprise decline in July, when core inflation dropped to 2.5%, marking its lowest level in over two years.

According to a joint statement issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), the uptick in inflation was primarily driven by rising service costs.

Services inflation accelerated to 3.3% in August, up from 2.9% in July, driven by an increase in holiday-related expenses while airfares recorded smaller declines.

Overall or headline inflation, which includes all sectors, fell slightly to 2.2% year on year in August, down from 2.4% in July.

This decline was mainly due to a reduction in private transport prices, which offset the rise in core inflation.

Month-on-month figures, however, point to continued price pressures, with core inflation increasing by 0.3% and overall inflation by 0.7% during the same period.

MAS and MTI indicated in their inflation report on 23 September that despite some volatility in service costs, notably in overseas travel, services inflation is expected to moderate further in the coming months.

The strengthening Singapore dollar, which is gradually appreciating in trade-weighted terms, is likely to help control imported inflation as the year progresses.

The two agencies maintained their inflation forecasts for 2024. Core inflation is projected to average between 2.5% and 3.5%, while overall inflation is expected to remain in the range of 2% to 3%.

Among other spending categories, inflation in retail and other goods edged up to 0.4% in August, driven by a rise in household durables. Food inflation remained unchanged at 2.7%, as an increase in non-cooked food prices was offset by a reduction in food services inflation.

The report also noted that electricity and gas inflation held steady at 6.6% in August, as a smaller increase in electricity prices was balanced by a larger rise in gas prices. Accommodation inflation, meanwhile, eased slightly to 2.9%, reflecting a slower increase in housing rents.

Private transport prices fell by 1% in August, a reversal from the 0.9% increase recorded in July. This was attributed to a steeper decline in car prices, although petrol prices rose at a slower rate.

Looking ahead, MAS and MTI expect inflation to continue its moderating trend for the rest of 2024.

Global energy prices have been falling, and Singapore’s imports of intermediate and final manufactured goods are on a general downward trajectory.

Locally, increases in labour costs are slowing, and businesses are expected to pass these earlier cost increases to consumers at a reduced pace.

Private transport inflation is projected to decrease further as Certificate of Entitlement (COE) supply increases. Similarly, accommodation inflation should ease as more housing units become available for rent throughout the year.

However, MAS and MTI said risks to the inflation outlook remain.

Stronger-than-expected labour market performance could reignite wage growth, while global factors, such as fresh geopolitical shocks or adverse weather, could place renewed upward pressure on energy and food prices.

A Singaporean influencer, identified only as “L,” has sparked controversy after filming herself berating her domestic worker for being “slow” and sending the footage to Regent Maid Agency.

The video, later shared by the agency on Facebook on 16 September, revealed L’s dissatisfaction with the worker’s performance, prompting public backlash.

In a statement, the agency explained that the woman had expressed her frustration with the helper’s language proficiency and work performance shortly after hiring her.

In the video, L is seen sitting in front of a table with the domestic worker standing beside her.

L initially insists that she is not scolding the worker, but confronts her for not responding to a question, claiming the helper had remained silent for “a minute and 46 seconds.”

“Are you gonna to answer?” L asked the helper twice in the video.

At around 50 seconds into the video, L loses her temper, slamming the table and shouting, “Halo! You think what? My time is very what? What do you think you are?”

Subsequent footage shows L flipping through a booklet detailing household chores, with specific times down to minutes logged next to each task, such as vacuuming and cleaning.

L Enforces Strict Chore Documentation System for Helper

The domestic worker, a 25-year-old from Myanmar, began working with L on 12 July.

According to Regent Maid Agency, L had requested a worker who spoke English well, despite opting for the salary range of a fresh worker.

The agency claims they had managed L’s expectations prior to confirming the worker.

However, L reported that the helper did not meet her expectations in terms of English proficiency and work pace.

The agency revealed that Ms. L implemented a system requiring the helper to document completed chores and the time taken for each task, which ultimately caused further dissatisfaction.

While the agency’s agent worked to manage Ms. L’s expectations regarding the helper’s abilities and salary, they provided continuous support to both parties, including counseling sessions aimed at addressing performance and communication issues.

However, the helper allegedly experienced significant stress due to the work environment, which included instances of verbal abuse. She sought assistance from the agency and even considered repatriation due to the challenging conditions.

According to the agency, L expressed her intent to escalate her concerns to several high-ranking government officials, including Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower, and Mr. K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs.

Additionally, as an influencer, L threatened to publicly highlight her experience to discourage others from facing similar issues.

L also requested to replace the domestic worker. However, Regent Maid Agency explained that, per the service agreement, third-party fees are applicable for a replacement.

L reportedly claimed that her friends were not charged similar fees by other agencies, but Regent Maid Agency emphasized that L was made aware of the terms when signing the agreement.

“We do not recycle helpers who are unsuitable. Our goal is to find the best fit for both employers and helpers, avoiding unnecessary frustration,” the agency explained.

“While employers have the right to express their concerns, it is also important to recognize the challenges faced by agencies and helpers. We are committed to handling each case with professionalism and fairness.”

Agency and CDE Respond

Despite numerous attempts to address L’s feedback and concerns, including counselling sessions for the worker, the situation did not improve.

Regent Maid Agency disclosed that L allegedly continued to file complaints, including after operating hours, sometimes as late as midnight.

Since the video was posted, the Centre for Domestic Employees (CDE) has contacted the agency to assist with the issue.

The CDE has escalated the matter to the Ministry of Manpower for further investigation.

CDE encourages any migrant domestic worker in need of assistance to reach out via their 24-hour helpline at 1800-2255-233 or through their Facebook page.

Netizen Criticized the Influencer for Demanding “Butler’s Standards” from Her Helper

Netizens widely condemned the influencer’s behavior towards her domestic worker, with many expressing outrage over the disrespectful treatment and unreasonable expectations.

Some criticised whether the influencer for expecting “butler’s standards” from a helper, pointing out that tracking tasks down to the minute and shouting at the worker was excessive and unfair.

Several netizens were disturbed by the influencer’s tone, slamming the table and shouting at the worker, calling it a clear form of verbal abuse. Some urged the agency to support the worker and file a formal complaint.

Many netizens expressed empathy and heartbreak for the domestic worker, highlighting how the public humiliation and harsh treatment were unjustifiable.

They criticised the culture of entitlement some employers display toward their helpers.

A Netizen Recalls Stressful Experience of Documenting Every Chore While Working for a Family

A netizen shared her personal experience of working for an family, highlighting the stress caused not by the workload but by the need to meticulously document all chores.

She was were required to write down the start and finish times for each task, including cooking, and provide detailed explanations of how the food was prepared, step by step.

“Everytime I cook food I also write it the down and you need to explain what you put first in order until the food cooked.. imagine I make food 3 to 4 times a day and 3 types of food even roti prata or rice need to record in the piece of paper”