DON’T FORGET ABOUT DOMESTIC HELP

WE are owners of employment agencies registered with the Manpower Department of the Human Resources Ministry in Peninsular Malaysia.

We have been in this business of recruiting foreign domestic helpers for more than 30 years. But since the outbreak of Covid-19 in March last year, we have not been allowed to bring in any workers.

Our clients are families who are in dire need of domestic helpers to care for their babies, children and elderly parents. Besides, working couples also need domestic helpers to perform household chores.

Most highly-educated women are working full time. Many have to quit their jobs while others forego the idea of starting a family to pursue their careers.

These choices have resulted in a loss of valuable human resource and a breakdown of the family institution.

Foreign domestic helpers’ have enabled local women to play an increasing role in the economy when the country faces a severe labour shortage.

In keeping with the policy to promote women’s role and status, it is incumbent for the government to provide them with the necessary support.

Any effort to help women cope with their multiple roles in the family and workplace will be most meaningful, especially after celebrating the International Women’s Day recently.

The government should review the rules and regulations for bringing in foreign domestic helpers immediately, as many families have suffered for one year due to the lack of support in caring for their young, elderly and disabled.

We have tried our best to source local helpers, but our efforts have been futile. It is a fact that locals shun the “three D” (dirty, dangerous and difficult) jobs. Moreover, as Malaysia is facing a severe labour shortage, it is difficult to recruit local domestic helpers.

Some of our clients’ helpers have returned to their home countries after completing their contracts, and their employers are left in the lurch as they are unable to take in new helpers.

Unscrupulous and unlicensed agents have exploited the situation by coaxing some helpers to run away from their current employers and be placed with new ones who offer them a higher pay.

Malaysians are generally lawabiding and have strictly followed the standard operating procedures to keep the pandemic in check.

We have all adjusted to the new norm, and businesses are reopening.

Many sectors, including higher education, are open and international students are returning to the country. Besides, the international borders have also been reopened for business travellers.

Hence, we are appealing to the authorities to consider lifting the ban on foreign workers’ recruitment with rules, regulations and SOP in place.

For a start, the government may consider limiting foreign domestic helpers’ intake to a maximum of 15 per month for each agency, and increasing the quota subsequently as the situation improves.

The authorities should prioritise those who have received approval from the Immigration Department early last year, as the employers have paid all the fees and levies.

MAY LIM

AP CCS Sdn Bhd