[M'sia] Papa offers to work with governments to resolve [M'sia] domestic help ban [-Too little, too late?]

Maria J.Dass
The Sun Daily (Malaysia)

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 16, 2011): The Malaysian Association of Foreign Maids has offered to work with both the Cambodian and Malaysian governments to resolve issues that resulted in the ban on Cambodians working as domestic help in the country.

At the same time, the association, also known by its Malay acronym Papa, has asked the Malaysian government to consider increasing the number of part-time maids in the country by clearly outlining regulations on this in the Employment Act.

Its vice-president Foo Yong Hooi said following the ban on maids from Indonesia, and now Cambodia, the only other option left is maids from the Philippines. But the salaries of Filipinos are beyond what most Malaysians can afford, he said.

There are about 35,000 pending applications for maids in Malaysia. Cambodia had become the main substitute for domestic maids since Indonesia imposed a moratorium on its maids coming into Malaysia until a proper framework is put in place.

Speaking to reporters at the MCA Public Complaints and Services Department today, Foo said it was high time Malaysians reduced their dependency on live-in maids, and start looking at employing part-time maids who come in several times a week.

This move would help employers save money, reduce the outflow of foreign exchange in the form of fees and other costs, and reduce the dependency on domestic helpers, he said.

He said Papa hoped the term “contract labour contractor” which has been included in the amended Employment Act – which is due to be passed by the Senate – would incorporate part-time employees.

“Papa hopes a clear classification of 'contract labour contractors' will enable more part-time maids to be employed,” he added.

In the meantime, Foo said Papa is willing to meet with the Cambodian government on the ban, as well as the association for maid agencies in Cambodia.

The abrupt ban has left agents here and in Cambodia in a quandary as deposits have been paid and contracts signed, he said.

Foo said there are over 100 Malaysian agencies dealing with 15 licensed Cambodian agents who have sub-agents under them.

“We are willing to render our assistance in terms of minimising abuses, looking into better salary structures, training, insurance and other aspects if both governments are willing to work with us,” said Foo, who added that despite the language barrier, Cambodian maids are generally hardworking and fast learners.

"We hope the ban will be temporary and that a few cases of abuses by bad apples in society would not leave a bad impression of Malaysian society," he said.

Meanwhile, MCA public complaints bureau head Datuk Michael Chong is concerned over the portrayal of Malaysians as heartless due to the ban by both Indonesia and Cambodia.