LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO COME DOWN HARD ON MAID ABUSERS

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- Human Resources Minister Dr S. Subramaniam
has directed the Labour Department to coordinate with the authorities in
prosecuting employers found to have abused their maids.

"We will do everything we can to support the authorities as they take legal
action against those involved," he said in a statement here Tuesday.

The minister stressed that any case of abuse involving maids would not be
tolerated in Malaysia.

He said his ministry would ensure the safety and health of workers and
uphold social justice.

"The workplace rights and protection provided to our citizens are equally
important to foreign workers in Malaysia, including those from Indonesia," he
said.

Dr Subramaniam's statement comes in the wake of the death of Indonesian
maid Mantik Hani, 36, from Surabaya, after alleged abuse by her employer.

"We are shocked by the allegations being made in the case of Mantik Hani. I
have already said Monday that the government viewed this matter very
seriously," he said.

Dr Subramaniam also said that the Malaysia-Indonesia Joint Committee on the
employment of maids had held two meetings recently, and the next meeting was
scheduled to be held next month.

"At the next meeting, outstanding issues pertaining to the recruitment of
maids from Indonesia will be discussed and mutually resolved," he added.

Jakarta has frozen the recruitment of maids from Indonesia pending the
outcome of the joint committee meeting.

However, Indonesia has allowed maid agencies which have already received
payment from Malaysian employers to bring in maids for these employers.

Indonesia and Malaysia have put forward a list of issues that need to be
resolved first before the freeze is lifted.

On Jakarta's side, the thorny issues include the welfare of the maids and
their salary structure while Kuala Lumpur had requested the Indonesian
government to carry out a review of the fees which were too high and confusing,
he said.

Dr Subramaniam was quoted as saying that Malaysia had suggested that the
rate be standardised and Indonesia has agreed to look into it.
-- BERNAMA