Employers who abuse their maids to face prompt action, says HR Ministry

In a bid to protect the rights of domestic workers and crack down on abusive employers, the Human Resources Ministry has vowed to take swift action and impose penalties against those who mistreat their domestic workers. The ministry recently held a meeting with Ke Arah 189, a coalition of domestic workers and support organisations, to address various concerns regarding the welfare and remuneration of domestic workers in Malaysia. “We are committed to ensuring fairness and appropriate wages for all workers in the country, including domestic workers such as maids,” stated the ministry in a press release on Monday (July 10).

The ministry emphasized that it would not hesitate to take legal action against anyone found guilty of violating the rights of domestic workers. It encouraged workers who face abuse, neglect, or receive inadequate pay to file a report with the Department of Labour of Peninsular Malaysia. This ensures that necessary measures can be taken to address the issue and safeguard the well-being of domestic workers.

Following reports of a maid being abused by a couple in Kuala Lumpur, Indonesian ambassador Hermono announced that the embassy would closely monitor the recruitment process of maids. This incident has brought attention to the importance of regulating the hiring of domestic workers and protecting their rights.

The Human Resources Ministry disclosed that, as of January 20, a total of 800 Indonesian domestic workers had entered the country through the One Channel System (OCS), a digital platform used by employers to hire Indonesian workers. This system facilitates the recruitment process and provides a level of transparency in the employment arrangements.

In recognition of the significance of the issue, Malaysia and Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding on April 1, 2022, outlining measures for recruiting and safeguarding Indonesian domestic workers in Malaysia.

Ensuring the welfare and rights of domestic workers remains a top priority for the Malaysian government, and instances of abuse or mistreatment are being actively addressed. The ministry’s commitment to swift action and penalties serves as a deterrent and reinforces the message that such behavior will not be tolerated.