New deal for maids

New Straits Times reports today that Malaysia is finally rectifying the once ugly situation of the oppressed Indonesian Maids and making them now legitimate workers in an open market, with rights. Amongst the new developments;

• Employers: They will have to open a bank account under the maid’s name and deposit her salary in it every month. They will also have to sign a legal contract with maids on terms and conditions of employment. They will also have to dig deeper into their pockets for the services of maids with the introduction of mandatory insurance coverage costing RM72 per month.

• Maids: They can take grievances against employers to the Labour Court and, if necessary, to the Sessions Court.

• Employment agencies: They will no longer be able to deduct maid’s salaries.

I see this as a great day in Malaysian history, it’s like our own lesser abolition of slavery! It’s a day that makes me proud to be Malaysian.