Saturday June 23, 2007
Maid agencies shock over suspensions
By PAUL CHOO
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Association of Foreign Housemaids (Papa) is shocked with the Government’s decision to suspend 19 maid agencies.
The agencies are in the dark as to the charges levelled against them since nobody from the Home Affairs Ministry has informed them officially, claimed Papa president Datuk Raja Zulkepley Dahalan.
Equally surprising was that 12 of the agencies were Papa members with good records, he said.
Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad had said the 19 agencies risked having their licences revoked if they cannot disprove allegations and complaints made against them.
“We panicked when the news came out. No show-cause letters were issued and no information was given by the ministry,” said Raja Zulkepley.
“We only came to know about it when several reporters called us for a response. An emergency meeting was held.”
He said Papa members would meet ministry officials on Monday to establish the allegations and to give their cooperation.
Raja Zulkepley also claimed that the maid agency industry had suffered a 50% drop in business over the past year. He attributed the plunge in business to low salaries for maids compared with those hired in other countries, and abusive employers, among others.
He also questioned the fate of maids brought in by the 19 agencies who were now without employment.
“With the agencies under suspension, their maids are all now stuck in immigration centres and hostels, unable to move anywhere.
“Some employers have waited for a maid for two months and surely many will vent their anger at the agencies,” said Raja Zulkepley.
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