Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil announced that the ministry was studying the possibility of reviving its "home manager" programme for locals, to reduce the nation's dependency on foreign maids.

She said the programme was initially launched in 2009 but was not well received, even by employers themselves.

"We must have a strategic plan to produce our own house help as more women are joining the workforce.

And if there's no support service at home, I'm concerned that women may be discouraged from working," she told reporters after a visit to Pusat Jagaan Kanak-Kanak Sivananda, at The Divine Life Society in Batu Caves today.

Shahrizat presented a RM40,000 cheque from the ministry to the centre to help support the 100 orphans under its care.

She added that the "home manager" training programme would be started next month and open to eligible locals.

- Bernama