Rights groups want a mandatory day off for foreign domestic workers

The Star

Legal gaps in protecting foreign domestic workers in Malaysia leave them vulnerable to potential abuse by employers, say migrant worker rights groups.   They are urging the government to recognise the role played by over 100,000 domestic workers in Malaysia by implementing several proposals, including a mandatory 24-hour off-day each week.   Read more at https://tinyurl.com/46v7t297   WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news  SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar  LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline

Transcript

00:00While the idea of a four-day workweek gains traction among white-collar workers,

00:06foreign domestic workers in Malaysia are advocating for something far more fundamental,

00:12the right to a single day off each week.

00:14Several foreign labor organizations have urged the Malaysian government

00:18to formally recognize the contributions of over 100,000 domestic workers

00:23by introducing key protections, including a mandatory 24-hour weekly rest period.

00:30In a joint statement, the Association of Nationalist Overseas Filipino Workers

00:34and Our Journey described the right to a weekly day off as

00:46According to a survey conducted by the first three groups,

00:5195% of the 108 migrant domestic workers surveyed reported being denied a weekly day off.

00:58Alarmingly, 15% said they face physical violence, threats,

01:03or verbal abuse from employers when requesting time off.

01:07Speaking at an event marking International Domestic Workers' Day on Sunday,

01:12Bar Council Migrants, Refugees and Immigration Affairs Committee Co-Chairman Datuk Sri M. Ramachalvam

01:19said that despite recent amendments to the Employment Act in 2023,

01:23including reduced weekly hours and extended maternity leave,

01:27these changes still exclude foreign domestic workers.

01:30So it is important that the contributions made by domestic workers is recognized

01:37and also to provide legal protection, as I said.

01:41So the government should take steps to enact at least regulations that protect domestic workers.

01:49Of course, the call is for domestic workers to be recognized in the legal framework of employment in our country.

02:01So a domestic workers' legislation is imperative.

02:06So that's something that the government needs to look into seriously.

02:09The other area that the government needs to look at is the work conditions,

02:16to ensure that the work conditions of domestic workers are humane,

02:21that comply with international standards and norms,

02:26and that there is no exploitation.

02:29He also called on the Human Resources Ministry

02:31to introduce standardized job contracts for domestic workers

02:35and to issue relevant regulations.

02:37One of the important things, or the immediate things that the government can do

02:42is to come out with a standard contract for all domestic workers.

02:48And that standard contract will be made applicable for domestic workers throughout the country.

02:54The other thing that the government can come out immediately is also to issue regulations,

02:59which is within the powers of the minister to do so,

03:02without going to parliament and so on and so forth.

03:05So the minister is authorized and empowered to issue regulations.

03:10So this is something that the minister of human resources should look into immediately.

03:15Our journey director, Sumitha Shantini-Kishna, echoed these calls,

03:20advocating for policies that allow domestic workers to live outside their employers' homes,

03:26a move she says would reduce abuse and grant workers greater personal freedom.

03:30Meanwhile, Indonesian Embassy Labour Attaché Harry Ayusman said Malaysia offers

03:37some of the region's strongest protections for Indonesian domestic workers,

03:41citing the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, between both countries.

03:48The MOU ensures mandatory leave, social security, insurance, and outlined employment rights.

03:55However, he noted that many complaints received by the embassy involve undocumented workers,

04:02urging Indonesians to enter Malaysia through legal channels to ensure protection under the law.

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