M'SIA DISCUSSING DAY OFF FOR MAIDS

PUTRAJAYA, June 30 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian government is still in
consultations and gathering views from all stakeholders before making a final
decision on the day off for maids, said Manpower director-general Ismail Abdul
Rahim.

He said that discussions were being held with worker groups,
non-governmental organisations, employer groups and maid agencies.

He said, the day off was just one of the many benefits which the Government
had proposed for the maids.

"Overall, we would ensure the well-being of the maids so that they enjoy the

same kind of protection which other categories of workers receive under the
law," he told Bernama Tuesday.

Currently, there are 251,335 maids from 14 countries working in the country.
Of the number, 51.7 per cent are from Indonesia.

Lately, the maid issue was brought into sharp focus with incidents of abuse
involving maids and the temporary suspension imposed by the Indonesian
Government on maids wanting to work in Malaysia.

Ismail said the government, while waiting for feedback, would continue to
provide service and assist maids who needed help.

"We have set up a dedicated unit within our department to cater specifically
for maids," he added.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) urged the government
not to "back out" from its commitment to provide a day off to the maids.

Its vice-president, A. Balasubramaniam, said that while it was good that the
government was in the process of consulting the stakeholders, it should not be
"pressured" by employers and other interest groups to deny maids their basic
rights.

He disagreed with employers who claimed that the day off would encourage the
maids to "seek boy friends and later run away with them".

"Such thinking is archaic...Filipino maids have been enjoying such
facilities for years, and how many of them ran way?," he asked.

Balasubramaniam said the rest day was absolutely necessary for all workers.

On the Indonesian Government's temporary halt on maids to Malaysia, he said
the government should source maids from other countries.

-- BERNAMA