The Immigration Department has denied an estimated five-figure cost to hire a migrant domestic worker, saying instead an employer would only need to pay RM1,136 for related fees.
"This amount comprises levy, visa according to the source country, processing fee, employment pass payment, surety and a few other payments," said Immigration director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud.
English-daily The Star reported on Wednesday that the current cost for an agency to get a domestic helper for prospective employers is about RM20,000, with additions for quarantine and Covid-19 prevention costs.
The report quoted Penang-based job agency owners who said quarantine costs could be as high as RM3,000, while the overall recruitment fee is estimated to be around RM25,000.
While most Malaysian households tend to hire migrant helpers from Indonesia and the Philippines, Khairul said other approved source countries include India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Nepal and Laos.
"Each recruit must fulfil basic conditions including age, gender and pass a health check by Fomema (Foreign Workers Medical Examination Monitoring Agency) upon arrival.
"Until Dec 31, 2021, there are a total of 88,173 migrant domestic helpers who holds a valid employment pass," he said.
Malaysia is in the final stages of bilateral discussions with Indonesia to sign the latest memorandum of understanding on domestic helpers recruitment and lift a freeze on new hires imposed since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite the freeze, Malaysiakini today reported how the MyTravelPass - announced only for use by Malaysians and returning workers - was abused to let in new hirelings who found themselves being exploited. - Mkini
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