Immigration Dept to take stern action against those found abusing maids

KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department will take stern action against employers who flout the laws and regulations related to the hiring of foreign domestic workers, says Datuk Ruslin Jusoh.

“We will not compromise against any employers who abuse foreign workers, including domestic helpers,” said the Department’s director-general.

“They will be prosecuted in court under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and they will be blacklisted from hiring foreign domestic workers,” Ruslin added in a statement on Monday (Nov 13).

He was responding to a statement by Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Datuk Hermono, who called for prompt and decisive intervention on the issue of abuse experienced by Indonesian domestic workers.

Hermono had said that approximately 90% of the complaints received by the Indonesian Embassy related to domestic helpers, signalling a distressing trend that requires an amicable resolution by Malaysian employers and stringent enforcement by the authorities.

Ruslin said that as of Oct 16, a total of 447,094 Indonesian workers hold a temporary working visit pass (PLKS) and 57,916 of them are domestic workers.

“The department has not received an official report from the Indonesian Embassy on the abuse of Indonesian workers,” he added.

Ruslin then said that the Department welcomes a specific report from the Embassy so that investigations and further action can be taken.

He said the department is always working with the relevant agencies to curb the exploitation of foreign workers including from Indonesia.

“The welfare and protection of Indonesian domestic workers are among the items included in the memorandum of understanding between the governments of Malaysia and Indonesia on the hiring and protection of Indonesian domestic workers here.

“We also urge the public to supply information on employers abusing or exploiting foreign workers so that action can be taken,” he said.