Malaysians Willing To Pay RM700 To Indonesian Maids

By Sajad Hussein
PETALING JAYA, July 7 (Bernama) -- Malaysians are willing to pay Indonesian maids up to RM700 per month provided the cost of obtaining them can be reduced, a Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) survey revealed."Their rationale is that the savings from the agency fees can be gainfully utilised to pay the maids directly and also to look after their medical and other needs," its secretary-general, G. Rajasegaran, said today."At present, Malaysian employers have to pay agency fees of between RM7,500 to RM8,000, which is exorbitant, and hence households can only afford to pay the maids between RM350 and RM450 in order to cover the cost of agency fees," he said.He told Bernama that the government should standardise the cost of obtaining Indonesian maids at RM3,000, to enable them to be well paid and enjoy perks just like workers in other sectors.He added that both the Malaysian and Indonesian governments should also endeavour to set up a joint agency to specially deal with the maids to cut the cost."This agency housed at the embassy, should be a one-stop outfit where all issues pertaining to maids, from their terms and condition of employment to their safety and wellbeing, can be looked after," he said.He agreed with Indonesian Manpower and Transmigration Minister Erman Suparno that the 250,000 maids from Indonesia should be given a day off and that they should be protected under the Malaysian labour laws.Rajasegaran reiterated the MTUC's stand that maids should be classified as workers so that they could enjoy all the benefits which were denied to them now.At present maids were not covered by the Employment Act 1955.Meanwhile, Bernama understands that the Human Resources Ministry is working hard to get the required legislation in place by the next Dewan Rakyat sitting where amendments to the Employment Act would be tabled."All relevant departments were busy finalising the new regulations which would provide adequate protection to the maids as well as the employers," ministry sources said.Asked whether the quantum of fees charged by agencies would be one of the issues addressed, the sources said it could be as the ministry was studying the whole issue of maids in a holistic manner."We are not only looking for the immediate solution, but also at long-term implications so that all issues are adequately addressed to ensure smooth implementation of policies that benefit the country, employers and the maids," one source added.