16 Mei 2007
The Malaysian government is considering stern action against labour agencies that encourage foreign housemaids to abscond from the homes they are recruited to work in.
An average of 1,200 foreign domestic workers run away every month and the number is rising.
Malaysian Home Ministry officials will examine the cause of the problem, and ministerial talks will be held with Indonesia on migrant labour, especially domestic workers.
Malaysia has been criticised by human rights organisations in the past for its labour and immigration policies that have left many labour migrants, the majority of whom are Indonesians, at risk of abuse and exploitation.
