National Human Resource Organisation (PUSMA) president Siti Zarina Ismail said these discussions were necessary since house maid agencies in source countries determined the salary and cost of hiring house maids.

“These discussion are to ensure that source countries comply with the ceiling price agreed in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Malaysia and the previous source countries regarding the cost of hiring house maids.

“We at PUSMA would like to offer our expertise to ensure that the rights of employers and the rights of house maids are protected in cases of fraud or runaway maids,” she told a press conference here today.

While tabling Budget 2018 in parliament, Prime Minister Najib Razak announced that employers can hire house maids directly by applying to the Immigration Department , thus by-passing agents to reduce costs.

Asked about the direct hiring of house maids, Siti Zarina said it would involve risks since these foreigners would enter the country without screening of physical and mental health, security and without professional training.

“We are worried because foreigners who are hired directly can run away within the 30-day period allowed by temporary work visit passes before the employers can apply for work permits,” she added.