I AM so concern whenever I read DWs (domestic workers) related news here. In the Asia-pacific region, Hong Kong and Taiwan become dream lands to work in as a maid among young women of maid exporting countries. Recently, the decision made by Hong Kong judge that allow the maids who have been working in HK for more than 5 years eligible to apply permanent resident status became hot news among Hong Konger. Hong Kong make another history by showing it's openess and lawful manner despite there were some protests and unhappiness among its people. We have to appreciate for such decision since maids are also human being.
In Singapore, there have been some voices with regard to maids since maid agency demanded better salaries and one day off by their respective countries. The maids might have thought they deserve better paid since inflation make their earning less worthy now. Moreover, they want a condition of their right to be given one day off in the employment contract. On the other hand, the employers got reasons to block those unwanted demands. Among others, security and social problems might have been raised should they allow them one day off. Currently S$300 to S$400 salary for the service of domestic helper is deemed already heavy burden for them and they are cautious to increase. Those circumstances changed the existing maids their mind to shift other better paid countries like Hong Kong & Taiwan by refusing to sign new deal.
In Malaysia, the most troublesome country for the maids among the region. However still one favorite country who need to import most of DWs for their 75% households especially from neighboring Indonesia. But frequently horrible news destroyed Malaysia employer's reputation now. I read a lot news that was so cruel to maids. It include rape, cage maid and leave her alone without foods, bullying, fail to pay their wages, abuse human right, breach contract, locking in a tiny room, etc. As a result, Indonesia had imposed a law to ban its women going Malaysia to work as DWs since 2009 and yet to lift now. Malaysia tried to replace the gap with other nationals within region. The found new resources from Cambodia and Myanmar. Now Cambodia is necessarily imposed to ban its women to export Malaysia following several abusive reports from civil right group reports. The reports highlighted some horrible case that cost 5 Cambodia domestic helpers that prompt Cambodia authority to review their export.
It's encouraging steps to see how other governments are taking measure to protect their citizen's right even for domestic workers. Now Singapore and Malaysia is facing severe shortage of maids and urgently looking for a replacement. I worry that they will find Myanmar as a cheap and easy resource to fill the gap being left by Indonesia and Cambodia resources. It's not problem to go work oversea if they have proper employment contract that can able to prevent their right. The problem for our fellow citizens abroad is our counselors are not reliable. It make us vulnerable people. When the employer knows the weak points of our embassy, our workers are more likely to be abused/bullied. It's inevitable if our authority is not wise enough or ignore our people flowing outside country.
Yesterday, I found a news saying that Malaysia embassy will not issue working visa if the applicants fail to attach OWID (Oversea Worker Identification Card) from our Ministry of Labour. It might have made our people more difficulty in getting Malaysia visa/job. However we have to see, on the other hand, that our government is trying to control labour movement especially outside country. I hope our authority could able to minimize the potential risks that all migrant workers suffer. At the same time, it would effectively bar agents cheating their innocent clients especially from rural areas.
May our leaders able to protect our female citizen from going to the unlawful country to work. If Indonesia, Philippine and even Cambodia can take action to boost the chance of their workers, why not us to do the same exercise? I don't see any reason to say "NO" for this particular matter. May my fellow citizen able to find suitable job within our territory sooner than later.
In Singapore, there have been some voices with regard to maids since maid agency demanded better salaries and one day off by their respective countries. The maids might have thought they deserve better paid since inflation make their earning less worthy now. Moreover, they want a condition of their right to be given one day off in the employment contract. On the other hand, the employers got reasons to block those unwanted demands. Among others, security and social problems might have been raised should they allow them one day off. Currently S$300 to S$400 salary for the service of domestic helper is deemed already heavy burden for them and they are cautious to increase. Those circumstances changed the existing maids their mind to shift other better paid countries like Hong Kong & Taiwan by refusing to sign new deal.
In Malaysia, the most troublesome country for the maids among the region. However still one favorite country who need to import most of DWs for their 75% households especially from neighboring Indonesia. But frequently horrible news destroyed Malaysia employer's reputation now. I read a lot news that was so cruel to maids. It include rape, cage maid and leave her alone without foods, bullying, fail to pay their wages, abuse human right, breach contract, locking in a tiny room, etc. As a result, Indonesia had imposed a law to ban its women going Malaysia to work as DWs since 2009 and yet to lift now. Malaysia tried to replace the gap with other nationals within region. The found new resources from Cambodia and Myanmar. Now Cambodia is necessarily imposed to ban its women to export Malaysia following several abusive reports from civil right group reports. The reports highlighted some horrible case that cost 5 Cambodia domestic helpers that prompt Cambodia authority to review their export.
It's encouraging steps to see how other governments are taking measure to protect their citizen's right even for domestic workers. Now Singapore and Malaysia is facing severe shortage of maids and urgently looking for a replacement. I worry that they will find Myanmar as a cheap and easy resource to fill the gap being left by Indonesia and Cambodia resources. It's not problem to go work oversea if they have proper employment contract that can able to prevent their right. The problem for our fellow citizens abroad is our counselors are not reliable. It make us vulnerable people. When the employer knows the weak points of our embassy, our workers are more likely to be abused/bullied. It's inevitable if our authority is not wise enough or ignore our people flowing outside country.
Yesterday, I found a news saying that Malaysia embassy will not issue working visa if the applicants fail to attach OWID (Oversea Worker Identification Card) from our Ministry of Labour. It might have made our people more difficulty in getting Malaysia visa/job. However we have to see, on the other hand, that our government is trying to control labour movement especially outside country. I hope our authority could able to minimize the potential risks that all migrant workers suffer. At the same time, it would effectively bar agents cheating their innocent clients especially from rural areas.
May our leaders able to protect our female citizen from going to the unlawful country to work. If Indonesia, Philippine and even Cambodia can take action to boost the chance of their workers, why not us to do the same exercise? I don't see any reason to say "NO" for this particular matter. May my fellow citizen able to find suitable job within our territory sooner than later.
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