Background checks and 'psychological tests' may be conducted on employers of foreign maids in future in order to prevent cases of abuse.

Responding to a question today on whether this should be introduced following the horrific abuse of Indonesian Nirmala Bonet, Human Resources Minister Dr Fong Chan Onn said the proposal would be studied.

He also revealed that the ministry will expedite the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on domestic workers between Malaysia and Indonesia, which may require foreign maid agencies to visit the employers regularly.

"The initial encounter between the employer and the maid is crucial especially during the first six months," he told reporters after visiting Nirmala at the Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

Horrid abuse

Nirmala,19, was allegedly repeatedly abused by the 35-year-old wife of a company managing director whom she worked for.

Apart from beatings, the victim, claimed she was scalded with boiling water and that her breasts were burnt with a hot iron.

However, she managed to escape with the help of a security guard at the upscale condominium where she worked.

Yesterday, newspapers carried grisly photographs of Nirmala's bruises and scars. The case attracted widespread condemnation, including from Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Her employer's wife is currently in police custody and could face up to 80 years in prison on multiple counts of causing grievous hurt.

Meanwhile, Fong said he was appalled by the incident.

"This is an extraordinary case and is not the Malaysian culture to do this. I have explained to Nirmala that her case will not be ignored," he added.

Amending Employment Act

On the MoU, he said the agreement will also seek to regulate the process of taking in Indonesian workers, provide insurance coverage and courses to make them aware of their rights and Malaysian labour laws.

The minister expressed hope that the MoU would be signed "within two or three months" in the light of Nirmala's case.

Early this month, a MoU was inked by the two governments pertaining to Indonesian workers. However, domestic workers were excluded despite Indonesia insisting on their inclusion.

Fong said the problem was caused by the Employment Act, which does not classify domestic workers under the 'workers' category. This led the government to draft a separate agreement.

Asked if the government would consider amending the Act to standardise the contract implemented for domestic workers and not let foreign maid agencies decide on employment guidelines, he said the ministry will consult its legal advisor over this.

Also present at this morning's press conference was Indonesian ambassador to Malaysia Rusdihardjo SH.

He said Nirmala's family have been notified of her plight and efforts are being made to bring them here.

Rusdihardjo added that the incident will not affect ties between Malaysia and Indonesia.

Government responsible

In a related development, labour organisation Tenaganita urged the Human Resources Ministry to promote and protect the rights of domestic workers.

"We call on the government to ratify the United Nations Convention of Rights of All Migrant Workers as the visible sign of commitment to end abuse and exploitation of domestic workers," its director Irene Fernandez said in the statement.

She also urged Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to institute a national task force on domestic workers which should work towards the development of a framework to protect domestic workers.

Fernandez said the Malaysian government must also be made accountable for the pain endured by Nirmala as the government currently does not have any law recognising domestic workers as workers.

"Last year alone, more than 50,000 domestic workers ran away from their employers. This large number from a total of over 230,000 domestic workers is a reflection of the extent of not only abuse but a structured, institutionalised system of employment that is exploitive," she added.