Increased cost in hiring maids also due to pandemic and hidden charges

PETALING JAYA: Indonesia and the Philippines remain the top favourite countries to source for domestic helpers despite the availability of seven other countries, and recruitment agencies stress employers must be prepared to fork out a five figure sum to employ a maid.

Maid agencies have reiterated that the recruitment fee was between RM16,000 and RM20,000 before the pandemic, and the amount has gone up at present due to quarantine, PCR tests and higher air fare charges – making it about RM25,000 to bring in a maid.