Maid policy stays

Maid policy stays

Malaysians are generally tolerant when it comes to religion
and so far foreign maids are free to work in any household,
regardless of religious faiths.

When the idea was mooted that foreign maids be deployed in
households based on their religious beliefs, employment agencies
and employers reacted with concern over the difficulties they
would face if such a policy was implemented. Many Muslim foreign
maids are employed in non-Muslims households and there would have
to be another costly recruitment and deployment exercise.

Thankfully, Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has
decided to retain the existing policy on recruiting foreign
maids.

However, safeguards to ensure that families which hire foreign
maids accommodate their religious sensitivities and obligations
should be strictly enforced. Under the existing policy, there
must be an agreement between the employer and foreign maid on
matters like religious freedom.

Given the occasional abuse of maids by employers, there is an
obvious need for an effective mechanism for foreign maids to air
grievances and seek quick redress from employers. There should
also be an equivalent avenue for employers unhappy with their
maids.

Employers of foreign maids must realize that they have
obligations and reponsibilities. They must care for them, just as
they expect the foreign maids to take good care of their
families.

-- New Straits Times, Kuala Lumpur