Bariyah, an advisor for the Indonesian migrant domestic workers association Pertimig said it was not enough to have briefings on employment contracts for the domestic workers upon their arrival in Malaysia.
To meet this shortcoming, Pertimig hosts gatherings with the domestic workers on Sundays to inform them of their rights in the Malaysia-Indonesia MoU but also in government policies.
Pertimig also guides them on their employment contracts as it could be challenging for them to comprehend the document despite it being prepared by the embassy in Bahasa Indonesia and English.
“We make them aware of the risks of abuse or violence in their workplace and what they should do in such cases,” she told FMT.
“We empower these domestic workers to not just remain silent and accept the treatment but to be brave to lodge reports if they are physically and mentally abused, and face sexual harassment in the workplace.”
Pertimig also guides them on negotiating for higher pay and other matters such as leave.
The MoU covers domestic workers’ wages and a new system for workers to file complaints after concerns were raised on the mistreatment of Indonesian maids in Malaysia.
Employer, recruitment agent blacklisted
Indonesian ambassador Hermono told FMT the embassy received a breach of contract report early this month involving a domestic worker brought into Malaysia through the official one channel system (OCS) last September.
The worker was hired to take care of the elderly but she was instead made to clean a Chinese temple and wash cars. She was fed only leftovers.
Pertimig raised the issue with the embassy, which has provided her with shelter. It has also summoned the recruitment agent to settle the breach of contract between her and her employer.
“The employer and agency will be put on our blacklist after they settle the case so they can’t hire Indonesian workers any more,” he said.
More abuse cases
Bariyah said Pertimig has received reports on four more exploitation cases involving Indonesian domestic workers. These have also been reported to the embassy.
Three of the workers were hired after the MoU. They were recruited by Malaysian agents, not through the OCS.
“The agents promised these domestic workers work permits and good jobs. But in the end none of them got their permits,” she added.
The four domestic workers, like the one under the embassy’s care, faced physical abuse, were not paid salaries, not given a day off and had to do tasks outside what was agreed to. One of them had access to her handphone for only an hour a month.