'Malicious lies' of Indonesian maid who claimed enslavement

A HOUSEMAID who accused her wealthy employers of treating her like a slave has had her compensation claim dismissed after being found to have told "malicious lies".

An employment tribunal ruled Yoyoh Binti Salim Udin made up allegations against Firas and Lina Chamsi-Pasha after they discovered she was stealing.

The 40-year-old Indonesian claimed she drank acid in a bid to kill herself to escape her ordeal at the hands of the couple. But it was ruled that the "shame" of being caught stealing led to the suicide bid and that allegations of cruelty were fabricated.

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It was also alleged she was subjected to a strip-search after being accused of stealing earrings in February 2009. But her claims were "pure invention" the tribunal panel ruled.

Ms Salim Udin had joined the Chamsi-Pashas at their London home in 2004. But the tribunal panel ruled the description of her life as a maid for the family was a pack of lies.

"Ms Salim Udin's attempt to paint a picture of herself as excluded, overworked, bullied, exploited and ultimately humiliated was, we find, a travesty of the truth," it found.

Allegations of cruel or unkind behaviour were "simply untrue", the panel said, adding: "So far from members of the family being hostile towards her, we find that she was treated kindly, affectionately and with respect."

The panel said Ms Salim Udin was guilty of telling "wicked lies" in her account of life working for the Chamsi-Pashas. Mr Chamsi-Pasha has said the couple have spent 200,000 on lawyers to clear their good name.

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