I have written about this similar issue a few times but it fell on deaf ears. The government did nothing to address the complications arising from employing foreign maids just because some parties (including politicians) lucre from it.
About two years ago, I did suggest to three ministers that we should entice locals to work as maid instead of opening the floodgate to foreigners.
However, in order to do so, we must set up training centers and 'academies' to train locals, and those 'graduating' from the courses must be employed under the semi-skilled category.
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And the latest news from Indonesia is a good wake up call for us, Malaysians who are highly dependent on foreign maids.
Do we need to look at other countries for maids? Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and India? Or Nepal and Thailand?
How much are we paying for the Filipinos? RM1,200? Thats quite 'lucrative'. Why can't we train locals, categorise housemaid as a semi-skilled profession, protected with insurance and other remunerations and recognise them?
We can't blame Jakarta for imposing a moratorium or a halt to its maid. They got valid reasons. We have read news about them being abused, killed, tortured and imprisoned in some countries, including in Malaysia. Jakarta felt disgusted and insulted.
The government needs to look into this suggestion. We must train locals as housemaids. If we can pay the Filipinos RM1,200 per month, we can offer ours at similar or affordable rate, thus saving the country millions of ringgit every year in currency outflow.
The hotel industry has its own training center for chambermaids, waiters and other categories and such professions are fully-recognised.
Why not housemaids?
In some developed nations, nannies or housemaids have associations and unions. They are well protected under the labor law and are well-trained. Malaysia should look at Japan, South Korea, UK and Australia.
The Home Ministry, Human Resource Ministry and other related agencies should pool idea and resources to address the issue. Deputy PM Muhyiddin Yasssin who is also chairman of Cabinet Committee on Foreign Workers must accept good proposals and study it before giving it a go.
You think its so difficult?
About two years ago, I did suggest to three ministers that we should entice locals to work as maid instead of opening the floodgate to foreigners.
However, in order to do so, we must set up training centers and 'academies' to train locals, and those 'graduating' from the courses must be employed under the semi-skilled category.
And the latest news from Indonesia is a good wake up call for us, Malaysians who are highly dependent on foreign maids.
Solo, Central Java (ANTARA News) - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo wants to immediately stop the practice of Indonesian women travelling abroad to work as housemaids, saying it closely linked to the nations self-esteem and dignity.So, what is our alternative?
"I have asked the Manpower Minister to set a target and formulate a clear road map, to ensure that we stop sending domestic workers abroad. We should have some self-esteem and dignity," the President said during the Peoples Conscious Partys (Hanuras) second National Congress on Friday night.
During his tour of Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and the Philippines recently, President Jokowi said he found out that there were a total of 2.3 million Indonesian migrant workers living in these countries, and 1.2 million of them had an illegal status and were considered problematic workers.
"About 1,800 of them have been rescued, 800 have been picked up by Hercules, and tomorrow we will pick some more up. But I am sure the numbers will continue to grow as we encounter problems in dealing with this issue," he noted.
The President expressed the hope of being able to immediately stopping sending domestic workers abroad.
Do we need to look at other countries for maids? Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and India? Or Nepal and Thailand?
How much are we paying for the Filipinos? RM1,200? Thats quite 'lucrative'. Why can't we train locals, categorise housemaid as a semi-skilled profession, protected with insurance and other remunerations and recognise them?
We can't blame Jakarta for imposing a moratorium or a halt to its maid. They got valid reasons. We have read news about them being abused, killed, tortured and imprisoned in some countries, including in Malaysia. Jakarta felt disgusted and insulted.
The government needs to look into this suggestion. We must train locals as housemaids. If we can pay the Filipinos RM1,200 per month, we can offer ours at similar or affordable rate, thus saving the country millions of ringgit every year in currency outflow.
The hotel industry has its own training center for chambermaids, waiters and other categories and such professions are fully-recognised.
Why not housemaids?
In some developed nations, nannies or housemaids have associations and unions. They are well protected under the labor law and are well-trained. Malaysia should look at Japan, South Korea, UK and Australia.
The Home Ministry, Human Resource Ministry and other related agencies should pool idea and resources to address the issue. Deputy PM Muhyiddin Yasssin who is also chairman of Cabinet Committee on Foreign Workers must accept good proposals and study it before giving it a go.
You think its so difficult?