I READ the letter “Maid Agents From Hell” (The Star, Dec 18) and can identify with the problems faced by the writer Chrisy.
It is not just the agents that give hell to many working mothers. The maids themselves can be a headache, not to mention the Immigration Department. Let me share my experiences.
Case No 1: The agent promised the maid could be replaced if they did not perform accordingly. But then she didn’t even know how to turn on the gas stove, let alone prepare food. The agent took the maid for a few days and sent her home.
At this point, the parents had already paid RM5,000. If the employer wished to have a new maid, it would cost an additional RM1,500. If the pattern continued, the agent can keep sending hopeless maids and make additional RM1,500 for every exchange.
Case No. 2: Everything seemed to be fine; the maid was able to provide the support required while the parents were away at work. Then the whole family went away overnight. Since there was no space for the maid in the car, she was left behind. At 3am, a neighbour saw a nice SUV coming to fetch the maid, leaving the house with the door open. A police report was duly made. But the employer must pay RM250 fine to the Immigration Department.
Case No. 3: After four years of good service, the maid lied about the reason for an extended home leave. A month later, she sent an SMS saying she was not coming back.
The employer had already paid RM445 for a year’s permit. Thank goodness a return ticket had not been purchased since her return date was not confirmed and AirAsia charges for any change of date. But the Immigration said the employer must either show the purchase of return ticket or pay the RM250 fine for “unreported” return of the maid to her home country. It is bad enough that we parents have to face all these headaches and the Immigration has to add salt to injury!
Maids faking profiles and using passports under other names are almost commonplace and one wonders how they get away with it. Many parents are under such stress and at the mercy of maids and their agents. So, who do we turn to?
SALLEY,
Ampang, Selangor.
