Talks to ensure bosses get replacement maids

The Government is in talks to ensure employers would get replacement maids at no additional cost should the maids flee with their passports.

Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Maznah Mazlan said the ministry would ensure that the employment agencies concerned provided replacement maids within a fixed period of time.

She said minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam was currently in talks with the Indonesian government regarding the matter to ensure a “win-win” outcome for employers and maids.

“We expect the details to be revealed during the signing of the MoU in Bandung on Monday (tomorrow),” she said after launching the Kuala Terengganu Wanita Umno meeting here yesterday.

On the maids keeping their passports, Maznah explained that it was their right to do so in accordance with International Labour Organisation rules.

“However, the employers and maids could also reach an understanding for the passports to be kept by the employers for security reasons,” she said.

She added that the MoU would also include proper training for the Indonesian maids before they are sent to Malaysia.

“I will monitor the training held in several centres such as in Surabaya and Jakarta.

“The training is important to ensure the maids do not experience a culture shock here,” she said.

It was reported that the revised MoU on the recruitment of Indonesian maids will be inked in Bandung tomorrow with the maids getting a weekly day off and being allowed to keep their passports.

Their salary is also said to be set at a minimum of RM600.

On the proposed minimum wage policy for all workers, Maznah said this was expected to be finalised before the end of the year.

“The ministry is serious about introducing this policy, as 33.8% of workers in the country earn less than RM750, which is below the poverty level,’’ she said.

Source: TheStar