00:00While the idea of a four-day workweek gains traction among white-collar workers,
00:06foreign domestic workers in Malaysia are advocating for something far more fundamental,
00:12the right to a single day off each week.
00:14Several foreign labor organizations have urged the Malaysian government
00:18to formally recognize the contributions of over 100,000 domestic workers
00:23by introducing key protections, including a mandatory 24-hour weekly rest period.
00:30In a joint statement, the Association of Nationalist Overseas Filipino Workers
00:34and Our Journey described the right to a weekly day off as
00:46According to a survey conducted by the first three groups,
00:5195% of the 108 migrant domestic workers surveyed reported being denied a weekly day off.
00:58Alarmingly, 15% said they face physical violence, threats,
01:03or verbal abuse from employers when requesting time off.
01:07Speaking at an event marking International Domestic Workers' Day on Sunday,
01:12Bar Council Migrants, Refugees and Immigration Affairs Committee Co-Chairman Datuk Sri M. Ramachalvam
01:19said that despite recent amendments to the Employment Act in 2023,
01:23including reduced weekly hours and extended maternity leave,
01:27these changes still exclude foreign domestic workers.
01:30So it is important that the contributions made by domestic workers is recognized
01:37and also to provide legal protection, as I said.
01:41So the government should take steps to enact at least regulations that protect domestic workers.
01:49Of course, the call is for domestic workers to be recognized in the legal framework of employment in our country.
02:01So a domestic workers' legislation is imperative.
02:06So that's something that the government needs to look into seriously.
02:09The other area that the government needs to look at is the work conditions,
02:16to ensure that the work conditions of domestic workers are humane,
02:21that comply with international standards and norms,
02:26and that there is no exploitation.
02:29He also called on the Human Resources Ministry
02:31to introduce standardized job contracts for domestic workers
02:35and to issue relevant regulations.
02:37One of the important things, or the immediate things that the government can do
02:42is to come out with a standard contract for all domestic workers.
02:48And that standard contract will be made applicable for domestic workers throughout the country.
02:54The other thing that the government can come out immediately is also to issue regulations,
02:59which is within the powers of the minister to do so,
03:02without going to parliament and so on and so forth.
03:05So the minister is authorized and empowered to issue regulations.
03:10So this is something that the minister of human resources should look into immediately.
03:15Our journey director, Sumitha Shantini-Kishna, echoed these calls,
03:20advocating for policies that allow domestic workers to live outside their employers' homes,
03:26a move she says would reduce abuse and grant workers greater personal freedom.
03:30Meanwhile, Indonesian Embassy Labour Attaché Harry Ayusman said Malaysia offers
03:37some of the region's strongest protections for Indonesian domestic workers,
03:41citing the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, between both countries.
03:48The MOU ensures mandatory leave, social security, insurance, and outlined employment rights.
03:55However, he noted that many complaints received by the embassy involve undocumented workers,
04:02urging Indonesians to enter Malaysia through legal channels to ensure protection under the law.
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