NGO: Abuse of domestic workers increasingly brutal

The pattern of abuse of domestic workers is increasingly becoming brutal, even life threatening says Tenaganita executive director Irene Fernandez.

She said 96 case files were opened last year. Thirty-nine cases were opened for 45 domestic workers while 51 were rescued.

"The workers were from Cambodia, Philippines and Indonesia. 56 percent rescued suffered physical abuse, 35 percent were sexually abused and 30 percent badly malnourished due to food deprivation," she said at the launch of a campaign to create a decent life for domestic workers in Gurney Plaza today.

Irene (right) was speaking on behalf of the Domestic Workers Campaign Coalition which organised the event in cooperation with the Penang executive council for youth and sports, women, family and community.

Irene said data analysis conducted by Tenaganita revealed that more than 90 percent of domestic workers work more than 12 hours a day and have no off day in the week.

Eighty percent had not received their wages for more than six months, many for two to five years, she added.

"All of them had their passports held by their employers and thus many did not have their work permits renewed," she said.

Irene said in some cases, the circumstances of domestic workers constitute forced labour, with migrant workers and child domestic workers at particular risk of becoming trapped in this.

Exploitation cannot be condoned

Irene said such forms of exploitation could not be condoned and employers, including women, must appreciate that it is domestic workers who have facilitated their involvement in work or business.

"Domestic workers have been the key to the care of their children and their home," she said.

"If domestic workers have been instrumental for our economic and social life development, then we owe then decent work, decent wages and a decent life," she added.

Also present were state executive councillor on Youths, Sports, Women, Family and Community Development Chong Eng (left), Penang Women's Development Corporation chief executive officer Sri Husnaina Sofjan, Malaysian Trades Union Congress deputy president Mohd Jafar Abd Majid and Gurney Plaza manager Peter Chan.

Other than the official launch, the event from 11am to 6pm was coloured by an exhibition, song performances by domestic workers, a signature campaign and a lion dance.

In her speech, Irene cited several cases of domestic workers being abused, like a 24 year-old Cambodian domestic worker who was starved to death in Penang by a couple. They have been sentenced to 34 years in prison.

She also cited the current case of 15 year old Wilfrida Soik from Indonesia who is facing a murder charge in Kota Baru for killing her employer after allegedly suffering abuse.

Irene said the global community through the International Labour Organisation voted for Convention 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers.

"However the Malaysian government cowardly abstained while shamefully the Employers Federation voted against it."

She applauded MTUC and other workers' representatives who voted for it.

Chong Eng said the state will work with civil society to strengthen the campaign, adding that they cannot bring legal reform as that is the responsibility of the federal government.

"But we can facilitate orientation programs for employers and domestic workers so that a healthy and more open relationship is established.

"We can help with counseling and support centres and create opportunities for awareness with communities, councillors and elected representatives," she said.