Maid crunch hits 35,000 families

via CAAI

Jan 11, 2011PETALING JAYA - The foreign maid crunch in Malaysia has become more severe, leading to tens of thousands of families being stuck without domestic helpers.

According to the Malaysian Association of Foreign Maid Agencies (Papa), as many as 35,000 families are on the waiting list for a maid, with the average waiting time now increasing to more than seven months, The Star newspaper reported.

Several months ago, about 1,000 maids arrived monthly. Now, that figure has dropped to just 200.

In June 2009, Indonesia imposed a ban on sending domestic helpers to Malaysia until their safety could be assured. The two countries have yet to reach agreement on proposals which include a minimum wage and day off for maids.

Cambodia, which recently began to send maids over, has been unable to meet the demand.

Maids from Cambodia and Indonesia are sought after because they command a lower wage. They are paid about RM600 ($253.40) per month compared to RM1,200 for Filipino maids.

Papa secretary Foo Yong Hooi said Cambodia could supply more domestic helpers if the government was willing to lower the minimum age requirement to 18 from the current 21.

"The supply of maids from the country for those above the age of 21 is currently overstretched," he was quoted as saying by The Star.

"This is because many in that age-group are already starting a family and are not willing to come here."

Mr Foo added that the association has sent a request to the Home and Human Resources ministries to reduce the age limit.

A delegation from Cambodia will arrive in Malaysia next week to discuss lowering the age requirement with the Malaysian authorities.

But industry players say the main issue was how to get Indonesia to lift the freeze on maid supply.

"I believe the government has done what it can. We always welcome maids from Indonesia," said Mr Foo. "The government has made its offer. The ball is now in Indonesian's court. The impasse will not end unless Indonesia lifts its moratorium on the hiring of maids."