Safety Before Cleanliness

Apparently, the "I don't do windows" cleaning-lady cliché has a lot of substance to it. Cleaning the outside of windows can be hazardous to a maid's health, especially if the window is at a certain height. In Singapore, much-admired for its economic success, there has been a rash of deadly falls of maids who had been cleaning the outside of windows, some at considerable heights. The problem there is significant, due to the fact that most of the population lives in buildings, as opposed to one-level houses. Also, the number of maids is very high, so it's quite probable that an accident of this sort will occur. So much so, that the government is considering  prohibiting this household chore, unless performed by someone with the proper equipment and safety features.

For now, the maids in Singapore are formally excused from doing windows.

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