JAKARTA – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has placed a new key performance indicator (KPI) to the Home Ministry and Human Resource Ministry to implement a digital maid system, which will lessen the impact that agents and bureaucratic red tape has on the process.
Speaking to the press on the last leg of his trip to Jakarta, the prime minister reiterated his earlier message that digitalisation for domestic helpers will definitely lower the cost for both employers and employees.
“Yes (they will have a new KPI) but right now, it’s (the KPI) mainly (for) the Home Ministry,” said Anwar.
Touching on the unhappiness of many Malaysians over the high cost to employ a domestic helper, the Tambun MP acknowledged the matter and said that it is caused by the dependency on agents.
This was the reason that he believes the role of the agents must be reduced.
“We have to do away with it partly. Why must we go through that process? Why must we have a physical interview when you can, to a large extent, do away with that as the cost is exorbitant?
“We all have maids. We know the process. It causes delays and so much hardship for the poor. That’s why netizens here get agitated for good reason, because their people are being treated in that manner.
“And the rate isn’t consistent – some charge RM10,000 while others charge up to RM15,000 or even RM25,000. This has to stop,” he added. – The Vibes, January 9, 2023
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