News

  • Nation
  • World Updates
  • Courts
  • Parliament
  • Columnists
  • Opinion
  • Honours List

Sunday July 5, 2009

Agencies and employers stand to lose millions over ban on maids


KUALA LUMPUR: Local maid agencies and employers stand to lose as much as RM10mil in deposits if Indonesia does not lift its temporary ban on sending maids to Malaysia.

Malaysian Association of Foreign Maid Agencies (Papa) vice-president Jeffrey Foo said Indonesian agencies were using the ban as an excuse to keep money paid by Malaysian agencies and employers.

He said Papa has sought help from the MCA Public Services and Complaints Department to urge the Indonesian government to assist in claiming refunds from their Indonesian counterparts.

Foo said he was worried that employers might not get maids even after the ban was lifted.

“It would be hard for us to compel the agencies there to return our money,” Foo said at a press conference at Wisma MCA here yesterday.

“If agencies are not able to get their money back, many will have to close shop and people will lose their jobs,” added Papa honorary secretary Foo Yong Hooi.

There are 350 licensed maid agencies in Peninsular Malaysia, and 160 are Papa members.

Deposits of up to RM2,500 are paid for maids’ bio-data.

Department chief Datuk Michael Chong said six local agencies have called him since the ban took effect to complain about deposits being withheld.

Chong said the Indonesian Labour Minister would be meeting with the Malaysian Home and Labour Ministers tomorrow to discuss the issue.

  • E-mail this story
  • Print this story

News Poll