Malaysia is one of Asia's biggest employers of foreign labour. But recently, cases of deaths, abuse and forced labour have come to light. What is going on? Who is protecting these migrant workers?
THE Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) is strongly urging the Malaysian government to consider adopting the Unified Employment Contract (UEC) for household service workers (HSWs) of the Philippines in its ongoing effort to provide regulations for Domestic Servants.
In a statement, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said she has directed Philippine Labor Attaché to Malaysia Beth Estrada to take advantage of the ongoing drafting by Malaysian authorities of impartial terms and conditions governing the implementation of its Employment Regulations for Domestic Servants.
“This Unified Employment Contract for HSWs is a model which other countries wanting to hire Filipino HSWs should look into and emulate,” said Baldoz.
She said the efforts of the host government could be a window for the Philippines to convince Malaysian officials to consider adopting standards similar to the Unified Employment Contract agreed by the Saudi Arabia and the Philippines, which includes a provision for a minimum wage of US$400.
Baldoz said this comes after the concern raised by Dole–International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) Director Saul De Vries that there is no fix amount dictating the salaries of HSWs, including Filipinos.
“Currently, there is no minimum salary for household service workers in Malaysia. Their wages are determined by market forces,” said De Vries in her report to Baldoz.
He added that such practices places Filipino HSWs in disadvantageous situations.
“Often, this results in HSWs getting unpaid or underpaid, working long working hours, and being deprived of rest days, among others,” said De Vries in his report.
Still, Baldoz welcomed the move of the Malaysian government in its effort to protect foreign HSWs against possible abuses.
“I commend the move of Malaysian authorities to provide crucial protection to all household domestic workers, including our own,” said Baldoz. (HDT/Sunnex)
Source: Sun Star
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