Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh said many contracts for domestic helpers ended during this period and employers were not able to find replacements as borders had shut and fees skyrocketed.

This had severely affected the recruitment agencies for domestic workers as they could not sustain their operations during the pandemic, the former deputy women, family and community development minister said in a statement.

Citing data from the Malaysian National Association of Employment Agencies, Yeoh said about 20,000 households were waiting for borders to reopen and for new domestic helpers to be allowed to enter Malaysia.

“I urge the federal government to assist household employers with the reopening of this sector swiftly and safely by allowing new domestic helpers to enter Malaysia subject to vaccination, testing and quarantine protocols,” she said.

She also urged the government to resolve any outstanding memorandum of understanding (MoU) issues with sender countries and provide a fast track application system to reduce the long line of households waiting for new domestic helpers.

“This win-win approach will assist with levy collection and income for the government and halt illegal supply or trafficking of domestic helpers.

“We must do our utmost best to retain the-already-low-women participation in the workforce and not lose more of them because of lack of support at home,” she said.