Current issues, feedback & complaints on public services in Malaysia
MAIDS: Employers are being selfish
29Jun2009 NSTTHOSE who are against the proposed weekly day off for Indonesian maids are petty and selfish. So many reasons were given as to why maids should not be given a day off. Yes, some reasons are valid, but there are also many reasons why a day off should be given.
When a day off is given, it does not mean that the maid has to go out shopping or visiting a shopping complex.
Maids are human; they need a break. I have seen how some maids are treated.
Imagine getting up every day at 5am to wash cars. Then they have to prepare breakfast for the kids.
How many times have we seen maids being scolded in public for the mistakes that their employers’ children make?
If a day off is given, the maid doesn’t have to do any work on that day. She can stay in her room.
But if the employer needs her to work on her day off, she should be paid overtime.
L.P., Port Dickson
Source: NST – June 29, 2009
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Wong
June 29th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Hi LP,
I actually not very much agreed with your comment that those against the proposed weekly day off for Indonesian maids are selfish.
I don’t actually support weekly day off for Indonesian maids, reason being that Indonesian maids will get too familiar with Malaysia & Indonesian male in Malaysia and it will resulted in higher rate of maid run away or even worst Indonesian male run in to your house.
There are too many Indonesian in Malaysia & the maids will learn whatsoever things from each other during their off day. For them to run away is so easy & they can go back to their country cheaply & easily even without their passport.
Your suggestion of giving a day off to them without allowing them to go out, isn’t it not sensible?
I would suggest that no weekly day off for maids but they can take their leave at a go on expiry of a 1 full year or half year service which they will get 52 days a year off day, which they can use their holiday to go back to Indonesian to see their family. With this, I believe their family & the maid herself may be happier.
Actually personally I feel there are no human rights for Indonesian maid & I really pity them as they are separated from their love one for at least 2 years, for this 2 years they have no personal life, just think of yourself, will you be able to stand it?
But you got to think it as employer way as well, would you allow your maid to have a relation with outside people (for sure it will happen when they have a day off) & worst she got pregnant. In this scenario, will you continue hiring her? what will happen to her husband & family in Indonesia? what will happen to the maids? will the maids be abuse by her husband when she back to Indonesia? This actually happening very often even the maids without weekly day off, what do you think if they have day off?
Wong, KL