PETALING JAYA – INDONESIA’S demand that its maids be paid a minimum RM800 (S$326) monthly salary has hit a raw nerve among Malaysians.
‘Not all of us are getting a four-figure pay packet . Wait for us to progress, then such a request can be deemed feasible,” Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta) Kedah chapter chairman Pishol Ishak said.
He said many Matta members could not afford to pay RM800 monthly to their general workers, what more a similar sum for foreign maids.
Calling for rationality, he said: ‘As much as we value the role played by maids, particularly from Indonesia, the salary expectation must be in tandem with the earning power of Malaysians too.’
Indonesian ambassador to Malaysia Da’i Bachtiar has been quoted in press reports as saying that Indonesia is pressing for the minimum wage following cases of maid abuse by Malaysian employers.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S Subramaniam is expected to comment on the issue on Monday.
It is estimated that there are 294,115 Indonesian maids working in Malaysia.
The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers northern region chairman, Datuk O K Lee, said manufacturers would be worried if the Government agreed to such a minimum wage as some local workers earned less than that.
”It would cause anger among the workers. We have to find a balance. Such a move is not advisable at this juncture due to the (global economic slump),” Datuk Lee said.
Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun asked whether employers could still afford to hire Indonesian maids if they had to pay that sum. ‘Also, will the increase in pay lead to better service from the maids?’ — THE STAR
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
September –
5 Sept – Intl Day of Charity
7 Sept – Intl Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
8 Sept – International Literacy Day
12 Sept – United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
15 Sept – International Day of Democracy
16 Sept – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
17 Sept – World Patient Safety Day
18 Sept – International Equal Pay Day
21 Sept – International Day of Peace
26 Sept – International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
27 Sept – World Tourism Day
28 Sept – International Day for Universal Access to Information
29 Sept – International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
30 Sept – World Maritime Day
Monthly Observances:
Health, Safety and Sanitation Month
National Clean-up Month
Civil Service Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
Social Security Month
Rule of Law Month
National Teachers’ Month (Sept 5-Oct 4)
Weekly Observances:
Sept 17 – 23:
World Clean and Green Week
Week 2: Education Week
Week 4: Medicine Week
Last Week: National Family Week
Daily Observances:
Third Saturday:
International Coastal Clean-up Day
Third Monday: World Health Day
Last Friday: National Maritime Day
Sept 8: National Literacy Day
Sept 15: Philippine Medicine Day
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