MALAYSIA – Not servant, but workers: NGOs reply to ILO convention questionnaire
1 September 2009 3:14 am

Migrant
domestic workers in Malaysia are particularly vulnerable to abuses and
exploitation, concluded three civil society organisations in the
country. On 13 August 2009, the
Malaysian Trade Union Congress, CARAM Asia and Tenaganita replied to
the International Labour Organization (ILO) questionnaire regarding the
ILO Convention on Domestic
Workers.
Migrant
domestic workers in Malaysia are particularly vulnerable to abuses and
exploitation, concluded three civil society organisations in the
country.

On 13 August 2009, the
Malaysian Trade Union Congress, CARAM Asia and Tenaganita replied to
the International Labour Organization (ILO) questionnaire regarding the
ILO Convention on Domestic
Workers.

It also
noted that  "domestic workers in Malaysia are defined as 'servants'
under the Malaysian Employment Act 1955", excluded from regulations
relating to working conditions and benefits. The organisation expressed
that the term "domestic servants" should be changed to "domestic
workers" to be entitled for their rights as workers.

To read the complete reply, please click here (pdf).