Rights groups want a mandatory day off for foreign domestic workers
They are urging the government to recognise the role played by over 100,000 domestic workers in Malaysia by implementing several proposals, including a mandatory 24-hour off-day each week.
The groups said in a statement on Sunday (June 15) that the weekly day off is a right of foreign domestic workers that is not always extended.
The statement was signed by the Association of Nationalist Overseas Filipino Workers (AMMPO), Indonesian Domestic Workers Association (Pertimig), Our Journey (Malaysia), and the International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF).
According to a survey by IDWF, Pertimig and AMMPO, almost all migrant domestic workers surveyed in Malaysia, or 95% out of 108 total respondents, were deprived of weekly days off.
The survey also found that 15% of the workers surveyed experienced physical violence, threats, or verbal abuse, or a combination thereof, from employers when they requested a day off.
On a related matter, Datuk Seri M. Ramachelvam of the Bar Council said that despite several legal reforms, foreign domestic workers were still deprived of some basic rights.
Speaking at the International Domestic Workers Day celebrations here on Sunday, he said this group of workers was not covered by changes to the Employment Act 1955 that came into force in 2023, such as fewer weekly working hours and increased maternity leave.
The Bar Council's migrants, refugees and immigration affairs committee co-chairman said there should be a separate law enacted specifically for foreign domestic workers to safeguard their rights.
'Domestic worker legislation is imperative. That's something that the government needs to look into seriously.
'The other area that the government needs to look at is the work conditions, to ensure that these are humane, comply with international standards and norms, and that there is no exploitation,' he added.
Ramachelvam also urged the Human Resources Ministry to introduce standardised job contracts and regulations covering foreign domestic workers.
'The government can issue regulations on domestic workers, which is within the powers of the minister, without going to Parliament,' he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
06-08-2025
- Daily Express
Sign up for Madani Workers' Card plan, Sabahans urged
Published on: Wednesday, August 06, 2025 Published on: Wed, Aug 06, 2025 Text Size: Sim said the amendments harmonised various key provisions that were previously inconsistent with the Employment Act 1955, including protections for night work and the overall improvement of employment conditions. Kota Kinabalu: Sim also encouraged workers in Sabah to sign up for the Madani Workers' Card programme, which now includes over 150,000 union members as cardholders. The card provides various discounts of up to 30-40pc on goods and services. 'In fact, here in Sabah, one property company participating in the Madani Workers' Card programme has agreed to offer a 10pc discount on homes purchased by cardholders, subject to terms and conditions,' he said. Advertisement He said all these initiatives reflect Kesuma's comprehensive approach to not only strengthen trade unions but also uplift the rights and wellbeing of all workers. The event also witnessed Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor handing over flags and banners to the Sabah contingent that will participate in the inaugural National Workers' Sports Games (Super) in Penang. On the amendments, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said they not only align the rights of workers in Sabah with those in Peninsular Malaysia but also rectify decades of labour inequality. 'This is a historic amendment that workers have waited 20 years for. We have finally corrected an injustice to ensure workers in Sabah enjoy the same rights and protections as their counterparts in the peninsula,' he said. Advertisement Sim said the amendments harmonised various key provisions that were previously inconsistent with the Employment Act 1955, including protections for night work and the overall improvement of employment conditions. 'We have aligned all the key imbalances. For example, until recently, the Sabah Labour Ordinance still contained a provision prohibiting workers from working after dark, an outdated clause which has now been removed,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
04-08-2025
- Borneo Post
Sim: Sabah Labour Law amendments level field
Some of the 2,000 trade union members pose for a group photo with the special invited guests.-Information Department photo PENAMPANG (Aug 4): Amendments to the Sabah Labour Ordinance (SLO), effective May 1, have strengthened workers' rights in the state and aligned them with protections already in place in Peninsular Malaysia, said Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong. Speaking at the 2025 Sabah State Labour Day Assembly at the International Technology and Commercial Centre (ITCC) today, Sim said the amendments — over two decades in the making — have finally addressed long-standing legal imbalances while abolishing outdated provisions such as the ban on women working at night. 'Previously, there were provisions that were no longer relevant. These have now been harmonized with the Employment Act 1955,' Sim told reporters. The Labour Day event gathered over 2,000 trade union representatives and was officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, who also handed over the Sabah contingent flag for the upcoming Workers' Sports Games (SUPER), to be held in Penang this September. Sim also announced that the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) will table the Gig Workers Bill in Parliament this month to provide legal protections for Malaysia's growing gig economy workforce. 'The MADANI Workers' Card programme has registered over 150,000 participants, offering benefits such as discounts on basic necessities. In Sabah, one company is even offering a 10 percent discount on home purchases for cardholders,' he added. Additionally, Sim launched the country's first KESUMA One-Stop Service Centre, located in Sabah, which consolidates services from nine departments and five agencies under one roof for the convenience of workers and employers. He also revealed that a comprehensive review of 28 labour-related laws is currently underway — including both the Sabah and Sarawak Labour Ordinances — to ensure alignment with current needs and international labour standards. 'There are no plans to abolish the existing ordinances, but harmonization and refinement are ongoing to ensure all workers in the country receive fair and balanced rights,' he said. Also present at the event were Sabah Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, Director-General of Trade Unions Mohd Asri Abdul Wahab, Cuepacs President Datuk Dr Adnan Mat, and Sabah Department of Trade Union Affairs Director Noraini Ithnin.
The Sun
04-08-2025
- The Sun
Human Resources Ministry reviews 28 outdated labour laws in Malaysia
KOTA KINABALU: The Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) has initiated a comprehensive review of 28 labour laws to modernise outdated provisions and align them with current best practices. Minister Steven Sim announced the move, highlighting key legislations such as the Employment Act 1955, the Sabah Labour Ordinance, and the Sarawak Labour Ordinance, some of which date back to pre-independence. 'We must understand that the labour and human resources sector is one of the oldest and most historical in our governance. Some of our labour laws date back decades. The Employment Act is from 1955, the Sabah Labour Ordinance from the 1960s, and the Sarawak Labour Ordinance from the 1950s. So, all these need to be revisited and reviewed,' Sim said. He spoke to reporters after attending the Sabah state-level Trade Union Day gathering, officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Also present were Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (CUEPACS) president Datuk Dr Adnan Mat and Department of Trade Union Affairs (JHEKS) director-general Mohd Asri Abdul Wahab. Sim cited an example of an outdated provision that was recently amended—the Sabah Labour Ordinance's ban on women working night shifts, which was repealed last year. 'We may not be able to complete the review within this year, but we will try our best to ensure our labour laws are up to date and aligned with current best practices,' he added. When asked if the government plans to abolish the Sabah and Sarawak Labour Ordinances and merge them under the Employment Act, Sim clarified that no such plans exist. 'The intention is to harmonise and align the rights of all workers. However, the Sabah and Sarawak Labour Ordinances include provisions and consultation processes with the state governments that are not found in the Employment Act,' he explained. In addition to the labour law review, KESUMA is set to table the landmark Gig Workers Bill in Parliament this month, aiming to extend legal protections to gig economy workers. - Bernama
