'Treat your maids well and with respect'

The lack of registered housemaids, manpower supplier agencies and their sponsors are to blame for the rise in domestic crime by dishonest servants. Employers' disrespectful treatment of maids is another important factor to consider as it could cause maids to become dishonest. The Jakarta Post talked to some residents who have worked as domestic helpers.

Winarso, 30, is unemployed and looking for a job. He has worked before as a house servant in South Jakarta. He is staying at a relative's house in Sunter, North Jakarta:

Thefts by maids greatly depend on a person's character. This is an important thing to remember as not all people conduct themselves in a proper manner. Some people were just born with bad behavioral traits.

However, the way some employers treat their maids can also spur discontent within them, which in turn could make them resort to stealing.

I have been a servant for a well-off family living in a large, luxury home. The owner trusted me so much that I didn't dare double-cross him or his family, despite the temptation. They were so close to me regardless of my status.

After hearing about the recent robberies, I guess the employer should have known more about the maids' personality and checked their background. Knowing the manpower supplier agency and the sponsor is important for those who plan to employ maids.

I guess the employer, agency and the maid should sign a legal document in case something happens unexpectedly during the period of employment.

In addition, the employer should treat their maids with respect. Servants are also human beings with the same rights as everyone else.

Employers should not demand too much from their maids considering that they are paid a low salary for working 24 hours a day.

I wonder why we get so concerned about dishonest maids when there are high-profile criminals who are still walking around free out there.

Why don't you expose the employees at banks, the city administration, and the ministries who have the potential to steal public funds? Housemaids are just a small problem compared to other cases.

Atik, 39, is a working mother of one son. The family lives in Tangerang, Banten. She has employed a housemaid for years:

I cannot deny the fact that the increase in domestic crime has worried me, but I need a maid to look after my six-year-old son because my husband and I work five days a week.

Thank God I haven't had any major problems with my maid. She has a good attitude and has proven to be trustworthy.

To be honest, I'm rather careless about my belongings in my home, but it is my maid who puts them away in the appropriate place. I like her as she is capable of handling the household duties.

I think the way we treat our housemaids could be the key to preventing domestic crime. I treat her as if she were a part of my family and I don't discriminate against her. Being respectful toward her fosters within her a sense of belonging and responsibility.

However, I do agree that we have to look into our maid's background and learn her personality traits. I sometimes accompany her to her home so that I can get to know her family.

Unfortunately, it's hard for me to trust the manpower agencies in this city as they can be inconsistent.

O'om, 17, has been working as a maid for a family in Ciledug, Tangerang for two years. She comes from Labuhan, Banten:

The fact that housemaids stole their employers' belongings has really tarnished the image of servants like me. Worse, it also embarrasses the sponsors who introduced the maids to their employers.

I think the dishonest maids who stole money or other peoples' belongings were in dire need of immediate cash.

They didn't want to work hard to earn a living. Above all, these kinds of maids may have had bad intentions from the very beginning.

If they decide to take the job, they should work hard. It would be better that they don't become a maid if they want to steal.

I don't know what makes maids steal, but I think as long as my employer and family treat me respectfully, I can feel at home and enjoy my job.

Feeling comfortable and getting along well with this family are two of the most important things for me despite the fact that I receive a low salary compared to factory workers, for example. It doesn't matter that much to me anyway. Leo Wahyudi S.