Malaysia is one of Asia's biggest employers of foreign labour. But recently, cases of deaths, abuse and forced labour have come to light. What is going on? Who is protecting these migrant workers?
This is because although there are good employers, maids are often vulnerable
to abuse on account of the absence of laws covering their employment, said the
Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC).
<p>Their working hours, weekly rest days, wages and even payment of wages are
entirely at the whims of their employers, forcing some to work more than 15
hours a day throughout the year, said its secretary-general G Rajasekaran in
a statement yesterday.</p>
<p>“While we recognise that there are good and even generous employers, many
treat their maids badly,” he added.</p>
<p><b>Other proposals</b></p>
<p>He was commenting on Home Affairs Minister Azmi Khalid’s statement yesterday
that allowing Indonesian maids to be hired under the country’s labour law –
with the same benefits contained therein – would complicate matters for employers.</p>
<p>Unlike their counterparts from the Philippines, Indonesian maids are not covered
by any government-to-government agreement between their country and Malaysia
and often suffer from lower working conditions.</p>
<p>The two countries are currently thrashing out details for a memorandum of understanding,
which Azmi said may likely be signed in May.</p>
<p>The minister said they were looking at other proposals to improve the working
conditions of these maids.
Address: Wisma MTUC,10-5, Jalan USJ 9/5T, 47620 Subang Jaya,Selangor | Tel: 03-80242953 | Fax: 03-80243225 | Email: sgmtuc@gmail.com.com