A BACKBENCHER had proposed that the Government take DNA samples or thumbprints of foreign maids
to prevent them from running away.
Dr Mohd Puad Zakarshi (BN – Batu Pahat) said foreign maids ran away for various reasons and the Government should do something to curb the problem.
“Usually when a maid runs off, she would return to the country using another name and passport.
“But we could prevent such problems by having a DNA databank,” he said when asking a supplementary question.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung said they were not sure if they could enforce the taking of DNA samples of foreign maids.
“The DNA Bill has just been tabled and it is not passed yet.
“When it is passed, I am not sure whether it should be used because employers may have to pay for extra charges (DNA tests),” he said.
He added that 12,000 foreign maids ran away last year.
“When a maid runs away, the employer will also have to pay a fine and we will look for the maid and deport her to her country of origin.
“This is not an easy problem to handle but we have tracked down the syndicates and we are taking action against them,” he said.
Earlier, Chor told the House that the ministry had failed to agree with the Indonesian Government on how much agents should charge for maids. Therefore, the Government decided to leave it to market forces to determine the charges that was imposed by an agent.
“Currently, employers pay about RM3,000 to RM5,000 including the annual RM360 levy for the Government, annual RM60 foreign worker pass, RM10 Immigration’s processing fee and visa based on the country of origin.
“However, the Government will always try to look for a solution so that the agents can reduce their charges,” said Chor.
Earlier, while answering the original question from Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud (PAS – Kota Raja), Chor said that as of June 30, there were 256,097 foreign domestic helpers in Malaysia sourced from nine countries.
He also said the ministry had set up a 24-hour hotline for maids and employers to lodge complaints. The number is 03-8880 1555.
Dr Siti Mariah had complained that nobody knew the hotline existed.
