22 June 2007
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Association of Foreign Housemaids (Papa)
is shocked that the Government has suspended the licenses of 19 maid
agencies under allegations and complaints which remain unknown to its
members.
More surprising is the fact that 12 of the suspended maid agencies are
Papa members, and are known to be good, reputable and active
companies, claimed Papa president Datuk Raja Zulkepley Dahalan.
He was speaking in response to Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohd
Radzi Sheikh Ahmad's statement on Friday, that the agencies risk
having their licenses revoked if they cannot disprove the allegations
and complaints made against them.
"We panicked when news of this came out. No show-cause letters were
given, nor were we informed by the Ministry before hand on the decision.
"The issue was only made known to us when several reporters tried to
contact us for a response. We immediately called for an emergency
meeting after that.
"In addition to this, 12 of those agencies are registered under Papa,
and have a good track record," said Raja Zulkepley.
He lamented that the maid agency industry had already been suffering a
50% drop in business for the past year, and that the surfacing of this
issue would bring further implications.
He attributed the plunge in business to low salary for maids (in
comparison to other countries) and abusive employers, coupled with
other factors.
"Almost every day, about 200 maids from various countries, especially
from Indonesia, make their way into the country.
"With these 19 agencies under suspension, these maids are all now
stuck in immigration and others in hostels, unable to move anywhere.
We dare not even think about the other maids who are coming tomorrow,
or the day after.
"And, what will the employers of the maids say? Some have booked a
maid for two months and surely many will vent their anger at the
agencies," said Raja Zulkepley, who also questioned the issue of cost
liability.
"On Monday , Papa members will meet with Ministry enforcement officers
to establish the allegations against the agencies and cooperate with
them to iron out the issue," he said.
Raja Zulkepley also lauded the Government's call for all of the
400-odd agencies in the country to be members of Papa.
He said this would help the association to work better with the
Government in monitoring foreign maids and their agencies, in addition
to alleviating related problems.
