Maids cannot be trusted to have a day off, say Malaysian bosses

The Malaysian government is facing a backlash from employers and business groups over plans to give the nation's 370,000 foreign maids one day off every week.

Some fear the helpers will run away or catch diseases. Even the National Human Rights Commission, a government-funded body, said it was concerned about the decision, although it generally supported the move.

'Maids would get naughty and there would be adverse outcomes,' one of the commissioners, Khoo Kay Kim, told the Utusan Malaysia newspaper. He suggested that employers take their maids to designated places during their day off so that they could be monitored.

Accountant Audrey Tan, who employs two Indonesian maids, said: 'They might run away with boyfriends, contract sexual diseases or get pregnant.

'I am responsible for their welfare and if this happens I have to fork out the money for treatment,' she said.

The changes to labour laws will be implemented by the end of the year. Employers who fail to follow the rules could be fined up to RM10,000 (HK$22,000), said Human Resources minister Subramaniam Sinniah.

'The changes are for humanitarian reasons, to prevent domestic abuse and are in keeping with international standards,' he told parliament. 'We are serious about the changes and will be explaining the rationale to maid agencies and employers.'