Wake up! Irene
TehPublished: Sep 7, 2009 8:02 AM | Updated: Sep 7, 2009 8:10 AM
I'm responding to Irene Fernandez's statement on the issue of the minimum wage for Indonesian maids in Malaysia.
How ironic that Irene Fernandez who champions the causes of foreign workers has not moved closer to home and look at the wages some Malaysian workers in Malaysia are getting. Has Irene checked, or is she more interested in championing foreign workers?
It is about time Irene either keeps her mouth shut or use it for the benefit of her own fellow Malaysians. Does she have a maid? Does she know what she is talking about, or is she trying to be political and anti-establishment?
I'm responding to Irene Fernandez's statement on the issue of the minimum wage for Indonesian maids in Malaysia.
How ironic that Irene Fernandez who champions the causes of foreign workers has not moved closer to home and look at the wages some Malaysian workers in Malaysia are getting. Has Irene checked, or is she more interested in championing foreign workers?
It is about time Irene either keeps her mouth shut or use it for the benefit of her own fellow Malaysians. Does she have a maid? Does she know what she is talking about, or is she trying to be political and anti-establishment?
Let's review the facts. Most families earning between them RM4,000, would probably be able to afford a maid, and Irene feels that RM800 or 20% of the wages is too little?
Does she know that RM400 in Indonesia is probably RM1,600 in Malaysia (my maid's words ). Can a Malaysian raise kids, pay for a car, a house and still afford this? But an Indonesian maid paid RM400 can send the money back to her family and they can live relatively comfortably with this.
The last I checked, a management trainee in a reputable firm in Malaysia was paid RM1,800 gross. What does this employee take home Irene? After meals, EPF, transport, room and board, what is left ?
Yes, our wages in Malaysia must improve, not Indonesia, and we should have activists championing our Malaysian causes and not that of other countries.
They come here knowing the wage, as they also know that it is sufficient for them to live and send home, as compared to having no job and no means of support in their own country.
We are in a small way helping them and their countries economy by hiring them, which their politicians refuse to admit. Indonesia owes a lot to Malaysia,
Their workers can only work in Malaysia, as they speak our language. No one has taken this into consideration. If we stop, or do not agree, where can they go? Count the costs of such a situation to Indonesia.
And by the way Irene, this is not forced labour, they come willingly. If the wage is set at RM800 minimum, the Indonesian maids will suffer substantial job losses, and eventually lead to many social problems in their own country. So what are you championing?
Is Irene insinuating that a majority of these workers are being badly treated, just because of a few cases? I treat my maid like a family member, and there are many of us who do treat our maids fairly.
It's not like we are outnumbered by the cruel employers of Malaysia. Yes we must stop these people. But don't throw wild allegations at all Malaysians. We resent it and request you to be more careful with what you say and do. Be selective in your accusations.
How ironic that Irene Fernandez who champions the causes of foreign workers has not moved closer to home and look at the wages some Malaysian workers in Malaysia are getting. Has Irene checked, or is she more interested in championing foreign workers?
It is about time Irene either keeps her mouth shut or use it for the benefit of her own fellow Malaysians. Does she have a maid? Does she know what she is talking about, or is she trying to be political and anti-establishment?
Let's review the facts. Most families earning between them RM4,000, would probably be able to afford a maid, and Irene feels that RM800 or 20% of the wages is too little?
Does she know that RM400 in Indonesia is probably RM1,600 in Malaysia (my maid's words ). Can a Malaysian raise kids, pay for a car, a house and still afford this? But an Indonesian maid paid RM400 can send the money back to her family and they can live relatively comfortably with this.
The last I checked, a management trainee in a reputable firm in Malaysia was paid RM1,800 gross. What does this employee take home Irene? After meals, EPF, transport, room and board, what is left ?
Yes, our wages in Malaysia must improve, not Indonesia, and we should have activists championing our Malaysian causes and not that of other countries.
They come here knowing the wage, as they also know that it is sufficient for them to live and send home, as compared to having no job and no means of support in their own country.
We are in a small way helping them and their countries economy by hiring them, which their politicians refuse to admit. Indonesia owes a lot to Malaysia,
Their workers can only work in Malaysia, as they speak our language. No one has taken this into consideration. If we stop, or do not agree, where can they go? Count the costs of such a situation to Indonesia.
And by the way Irene, this is not forced labour, they come willingly. If the wage is set at RM800 minimum, the Indonesian maids will suffer substantial job losses, and eventually lead to many social problems in their own country. So what are you championing?
Is Irene insinuating that a majority of these workers are being badly treated, just because of a few cases? I treat my maid like a family member, and there are many of us who do treat our maids fairly.
It's not like we are outnumbered by the cruel employers of Malaysia. Yes we must stop these people. But don't throw wild allegations at all Malaysians. We resent it and request you to be more careful with what you say and do. Be selective in your accusations.
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