PETALING JAYA: After a long break, Cambodia is set to send domestic workers to Malaysia and industry players are glad to have more options as it will help resolve the shortage in the sector.

       Cambodian domestic workers were well-received by locals for many years before Phnom Penh slapped a ban in 2011.

       The ban was lifted in 2017 but only 175 domestic workers have been sent since then.

       The Cambodians are welcomed because those from Champa, known as Champa Malays, can understand and communicate with locals here as the languages are quite similar, said National Human Resource Organisation (Pusma) president Zarina Ismail.

       “There are two groups that come and work here: the Champa Malays who are Muslims and another group who are made up of those who are Buddhists.

       “The Malays here usually opt for the Muslim ones while the Chinese prefer the Buddhists.

       “The news of a new agreement is welcomed which means we have more options from source countries.

       “Now that the economy has opened, more women are going back to the office.

       “As such, the demand of domestic workers is high because they need someone to help manage the house.

       “So, this is good news, especially for working mothers,” she said yesterday.

       Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said recently that the government would sign an agreement with Cambodia to bring in Muslim maids soon.

       In February, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen also announced that they would resume a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Malaysian government to send domestic workers to Malaysia once more.

       The country had banned workers from going abroad as maids after a series of often brutal cases of abuse.

       The last MoU between the two countries, which was signed in 2017, expired in 2020.

       Zarina pointed out that there had been cases of abuse involving Cambodian maids, which was why there was a need to have proper agencies and mechanisms.

       She acknowledged that cases of abuse had occurred, so agencies involved had to play a role in ensuring that the rights of these domestic workers were protected.

       “We cannot just blame a lack of enforcement. How are you going to control those who have come illegally or are hired directly?

       “Agencies have to submit quarterly reports on the welfare of their workers to the government,” she said.

       Agensi Pekerjaan Associates HR (KL) Sdn Bhd managing director Kelvin Cheong said the impending arrival of Cambodian domestic workers was good news.

       “It has been a long time since we recruited from Cambodia, Laos and Sri Lanka.

       “If this comes through, then it is a good thing.

       “We laud the government’s move, especially the minister’s – in working fast to find alternatives in addressing the issue of domestic workers in the country.

       “Previously, we had many Cambodian maids but that came to a stop following abuse and slave-like treatment,” he said.

       Another local recruitment agency, who used to bring manpower from the country, said they had not received any information about the opening for Cambodian domestic workers.

       “At present, the online biodata and applications are only for those from Indonesia and Philippines.

       “If you are saying they want to bring in Cambodians, this is good news because over the last five years, it has not happened.”