Easing the burden of employers

SINCE Jan 1, 2018, it has been mandatory for employers to get their foreign domestic maids to undergo a medical examination every other year. Over time, the renewal fee for the worker’s annual permit and cost of the medical examination can be a heavy burden for employers, especially senior citizens.

The onus is on responsible employers to ensure that their domestic helper is healthy and free of any contagious diseases so that she is medically fit to perform her duties, including caring for young children and the aged.

The care provided by the employer include paying for visits to the doctor or dentist, supplying necessities such as toothpaste, sanitary pads, medicines and reading materials and now masks and sanitisers.

The employer also monitors her health because the family will be directly impacted if she falls ill. She is therefore in a low-risk category, unlike foreign workers in other sectors like construction where employers cannot monitor them closely. In some cases, maids are long-term employees and are almost part of the family.

The purpose of this letter is to request that the medical examination be done perhaps once every four years instead of two for maids who have worked for the same employer for less than 10 years.

Mandatory medical examinations should not be required for those who have worked for the same employer for more than 10 years and who have had medical check-ups since 2018. Just make their employers responsible for monitoring their health.

This will definitely ease the financial burden of employing a foreign domestic maid. I hope the relevant authorities will look into this matter seriously.

SENIOR CITIZEN Penang