Watch Dog

As far as I remembered, maids were among the hot topics that been discussed among my ex-colleagues, neighbours and relatives. It was pepper hot especially for the first timer employer or 'new maid on board'.

The list went on from difficult maids, lazy maids, non-hygienic maids to stupid maids.

Once, one of my relatives was really stressed out with her maids which was categorised as stupid. She worked like a cow but eat like a horse. The employer ended up had to finish off her unfinished tasks and forked extra expenses for food and utilities.

Then, she got a difficult maid as a replacement. The maid was with her for about a month or so before she ran away. She decided to make a police report.

A surprised awaiting her at the police station when the police told her that the maid was picked up by police. The maid told the police that her employer abused her and showed all the bruises (which was self inflicted).

It did not end there, as she was slammed with RM500 fined for run away maid.

Another friend considered herself lucky and proud of her 8 years maid. She praised the maid a lot and infact the maid received a special treatment.

The maid was well dressed with branded clothings and was given a handphone as an appreciation token. The maid was totally put in charge of the house even when the employer went outstation for few days.

A few months down the line, she was miserable as she explained that the maid ran away at last. The most affected one was her youngest daughter who was so attached to the maid.

Then she kept on changing few Indonesian maids thereafter and finally given up and chose a Cambodian. The similar cycles went on as she claimed that the quality of the Cambodian maid was not much different from that of the Indonesian.

In fact, she said it was more troublesome as she faced communication break down and had to pay extra salary.

Being a working parent previously, I shared the same predicament as I had to rely on maids to look after my kids and do the house chores.

I had enough with the maids that I decided to be a stay at home mom which was an appropriate choice at that moment.

Yes, I guess my decision was right then as I have less headache nowadays.

However, cases of made being abused had got media coverage starting from Nirmala Bonat and recently Manik.

As a result, Indonesia had freezed the maids entry until few issues been resolved including the monthly raised were addressed.

To overcome the problem, the Government had decided to put officers from the Manpower Department and Home Ministry to be watch dogs and check on the maids welfare.

The employers gave mixed reactions towards the move especially the one involve securities and questions on the successful of the plan.