PETALING JAYA: Malaysian employers are reminded to bring in Indian female domestic workers through legitimate channels only.
This comes after the High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur observed that many female domestic workers from India are being brought into the country through channels that violate both Indian and Malaysian immigration and employment laws.
According to the High Commission, these workers were being brought in through agents using visa-free entry, violating existing procedures.
“This not only contravenes immigration laws but also exposes the maids to significant risks and violative practices,” it said in a recent advisory.
It said Indian Emigration Guidelines also do not permit the recruitment of Indian women who are below 30 years old and hold Emigration Check Required category passports to take up overseas employment as domestic workers.
The High Commission said Malaysian employers intending to hire Indian domestic workers must obtain a Visa With Reference (VDR) from Malaysia’s Immigration Department.
Based on the VDR, the prospective worker will have to apply for an employment visa at the Malaysian High Commission or Consulate in India.
Upon arrival in Malaysia, the employer is responsible for converting the VDR into a Temporary Employment Visit Pass in accordance with the Malaysian government’s guidelines.
The High Commission said the Indian government also introduced the eMigrate system in 2015, ensuring transparency and accountability in the recruitment process.
“Key safeguards of eMigrate include the involvement of authorised recruiting agents and the authentication and attestation of contracts and supporting documents by the Indian Diplomatic Mission,” said the High Commission.
It also said foreign employers intending to carry out direct recruitment can only do so through the eMigrate portal, following applicable guidelines and using the standard employment contract available on the site.
As per the memorandum of understanding signed between the Malaysian and Indian governments last year, the High Commission said both governments are obligated to ensure the safety, security and welfare of all workers, particularly female, to protect them from harassment, abuse and forced labour.
It said the recruitment of Indian female domestic workers from India is restricted to nine state-run recruiting agencies.
They are Norka Roots and ODEPC from Kerala, OMCL (Tamil Nadu), UPFC (Uttar Pradesh), OMA (Andhra Pradesh), Tomcom (Telangana), RSLDC (Rajasthan), KUWSSB and KVTSDC (Karnataka).
“All stakeholders, including prospective employers in Malaysia, are advised to follow the procedures outlined by both governments, including the use of the eMigrate platform for recruitment of female domestic helpers from India and to recruit Indian domestic workers through authorised agents from India,” it said.
