Published: Thursday January 10, 2013 MYT 4:49:00 PM
Updated: Thursday January 10, 2013 MYT 4:58:32 PM

Shahrizat: Government should take over management of foreign maids

KUALA LUMPUR: Wanita Barisan Nasional wants the Malaysian and Indonesian governments to take over the management of foreign maids in the country to control the rising cost of hiring them.

Its chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil believed that if the government-to-government approach could be implemented, the cost of hiring foreign maids could be reduced to between RM3,000 and RM4,000.

"The cost can be reduced because the government can bring in many maids at one time, including in one flight using a chartered cost carrier," she told a press conference on Thursday.

Shahrizat said the Wanita BN also found the cost of RM6,700 for hiring a foreign maid set by the Malaysian Association of Foreign Maid Agencies to be too high and not affordable by most families in need of domestic helpers.

She said the government could also address the problem by appointing a special agent to manage the hiring of foreign maids in the country.

"The government can come up with a plan and work with the agency concerned for a smoother, cleaner, faster and affordable process," she added.

Last Friday, Papa announced that the cost of hiring an Indonesian foreign maid had been set at RM6,700, apart from the additional RM1,800 which would be deducted from the maid's salary. The new rate takes effect immediately.

The Malaysian National Association of Employment Agencies (Pikap) has not agreed on the cost and urged the government to make an announcement on the matter. - Bernama

News

Published: Thursday January 10, 2013 MYT 4:49:00 PMUpdated: Thursday January 10, 2013 MYT 4:58:32 PM

Shahrizat: Government should take over management of foreign maids

Published: Thursday January 10, 2013 MYT 4:49:00 PM
Updated: Thursday January 10, 2013 MYT 4:58:32 PM