28. Maid Abuse

Ceriyati Dapin, 33, fled her employer's Kuala Lumpur apartment on Saturday by using a rope made from pieces of cloth to descend 3 floors outside before she froze from fear and was rescued by firefighters. Read Bernama report of cabinet discussion here.

The stories of Indonesian maids being abused and ill-treated is on the increase. Why is it other foreign maids are not reported or has there been no abuse?

Officials say about 1200 Indonesian maids run away each month because of abuse or long working hours or unpaid salaries. This is a worrying number and needs an explanation by all concerned.

Although various government to government agreements have been signed in the past regarding placement and requirements to qualify for jobs, they have turned out to be mere pieces of paper to pacify concerned groups.

A major reason if such a large number run away would be poor selection and lack of training of the workers sent to this country. It has to be noted that workers sent to Malaysia are in the US $150 per month category and hence sent here.

Workers for Middle East and Hong Kong and Japan fetch far higher salaries and are hence the better quality. At that salary level and higher agencies fees, most would be well trained and genuine workers and maids.

Many of those coming in to the country lack major skills currently in demand and there is little bargaining power. There is also poor Government supervision of the maids in Indonesia at the selection process and here at the homes they are working.

But that does not mean that the maids sent to Malaysia can be abused. And it also does not mean that bad and untrained workers can be sent here. If unsatisfactory work performance is the cause of maid abuse, then stop sending maids from Indonesia.