2009/07/06

Siti Hajar Sadli’s alleged abuse at the hands of her boss triggered an outcry in Indonesia. Jakarta reacted by calling for a review of the MoU on migrant workers and enforcing a temporary maid ban. With polls nearing, political parties are eager to resolve the issue, writes AMY CHEW. WHEN pictures of Indonesian domestic helper Siti Hajar Sadli's badly bruised and scalded face were first splashed in the local papers, there was huge public outrage.

Hajar, 33, had allegedly been caned and scalded by her Malaysian employer, Hau Yuan Tyung, for whom she had worked for three years until her escape on June 8 with the help of a taxi driver.

2009/07/07

Joint panel on maids' employment

http://www.nst. com.my/Current_ News/NST/ Tuesday/National /2601527/ Article/index_ html

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed to set up a coordinating body to handle administrative issues regarding the employment of Indonesian workers.

Registered employment agencies will in future have to go through this committee.

Detained Burmese activists face deportation Jun 25, 09 10:05am Rights groups have expressed concern that 14 Burmese activists detained by the police for holding a protest to mark democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday may be deported.

They also fear that if the activists are forcibly returned, they would face persecution by the Burmese military junta.

If you ask the employer (or potential future employers) whether their workers should be given one rest day per week, they will most likely say "NO" - and give all kinds of reasons. If you ask employers, if their workers should be given paid public holidays...or paid annual leave...or paid maternity leave, they will, most likely say 'No'.

Hence, the Star's survey, an SMS poll at that, gave us the result that 75% are against the granting of a day off per week to domestic workers - and I bet you that most of them were employers/potential employers/family of employers of domestic workers. Also wonder, what was the question asked in that poll? And, in what language?

More than 75% of respondents in an SMS poll conducted by The Star are against the idea of granting maids a day off every week.

Yesterday’s poll, which asked if maids should be given one rest day a week, drew a total of 769 respondents over 11 hours.