Woman believed to be domestic helper hospitalised after alleged fall while cleaning windows in Singapore

A woman was taken to hospital after reportedly falling from an HDB block in Sengkang on Thursday. — Picture via Facebook/Diana Valeria

First Published: Saturday, 10 Oct 2026 1:34 PM MYT

SINGAPORE, Oct 10 — A woman was taken to hospital after reportedly falling from an HDB block in Sengkang on Thursday (October 8).

A Facebook (FB) post uploaded by the Complaint Singapore account yesterday shows a woman lying motionless on the ground as Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) personnel attend to her.

She is also seen lying on a wheeled stretcher surrounded by four SCDF personnel.

The post’s caption claimed that a domestic helper had fallen while cleaning windows, and cautioned against doing so with the window grille open.

In response to queries from AsiaOne, the SCDF said it received a call for assistance at Block 121A Rivervale Drive at about 10.30am on Thursday.

The woman was subsequently taken to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital by SCDF.

Netizens stress helpers’ safety

Facebook users commenting on the post urged domestic workers not to risk their lives cleaning such windows and called on employers to prioritise their safety.

One user wrote: “Dear Helpers: Don’t! Just don’t clean the windows of your employer’s house[,] who cares if they ... [are] mad at you?”

The commenter added that domestic helpers should know their rights and not risk their lives for their jobs, noting that their families back home care about them.

Under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, employers must provide a safe working environment for their helpers.

Employers who fail to meet the requirements can be fined up to US$10,000 and/or jailed for up to 12 months. They may also be barred from employing a migrant domestic worker. — AsiaOne

Singapore Helplines

• Samaritans of Singapore: 1767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (WhatsApp)
• Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
• Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 1800-353-5800
• National mindline: 1771 (24 hours) / 6669-1771 (WhatsApp)
• Silver Ribbon: 6386-1928
• We Care Community Services: 3165-8017