I refer to the on-going debate in malaysiakini on foreign maids and the various monetary mechanisms involved. No one even remotely involved in the sourcing and employment of maids in this country will say that the system is working.

The suppliers, both in this country and their counterparts in the other countries, say that they can hardly turn a profit if they keep to the letter of the current agreement. Even when they overcharge (as all agencies do without exceptions) they have not been able to provide an adequate supply of maids.

The actual victims of the current arrangement are the maids and their employers. This is the real tragedy of the situation. The maids, who resort to this occupation to earn a much-needed income, end up earning a pittance as all kinds of deductions (mostly unjustified) are made from their salaries. To top it off, many are exploited mercilessly by their employers.

The good employers have it no easier either as they are burdened with high fees. The end result on their side is the low monthly salary to the maid to compensate somewhat for the high agency fees.

But there is no denying that there is a demand for maids here and that economic conditions in some countries mean that many people from there want to work as maids here. Often, the money a maid sends home is the only thing that keeps a family alive in some countries.

Maybe it's time for an NGO to take over.

The reality is that the nature of this trade opens itself to exploitation if left purely to market forces which operate purely for profit. NGOs are not out to make a profit and will have the welfare of those vulnerable uppermost in their actions.

An NGO - like Tenaganita, for example - should be able to handle the bringing in of maids and even more importantly ensure their safe and secure work conditions better than any private company could. This would be done through an arrangement with similarly-minded NGOs from the sending countries.

Think about it. Once the profit element is removed, agency fees become lower. More money can then go to the maids. This will help solve the problem of maids not wanting to come to Malaysia because of the low salaries we pay. At the same time, the NGO can monitor the work conditions and ensure that the maid is not exploited.

All in all, it looks like a pretty neat solution, don't you think? I wonder why it's not been considered before.