Singapore introduces new law after nine maids die at work

The rules on window cleaning have been tightened following the deaths of nine maids who fell from high-rise apartments this year.

Maids are no longer allowed to clean the outside of windows above ground level unless they are supervised, and window grilles must be installed and locked during cleaning, the manpower ministry has said.

The ministry said it plans to notify all households with maids of the new rules, and employers who fail to comply may be banned from hiring maids.

One in five households in Singapore has a live-in maid, and the city state is under pressure to improve the working conditions of foreign maids.