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(From New Straits Times (Malaysia))
I DO not understand why there is such a big hoo-ha over the maid abuse issue.
I do not condone maid abuse. I agree with the public's views that any maid abuser should be put behind bars. But I also think that the maids themselves and especially the maid agencies are no saints.
My wife and I started employing maids about six years ago when we had our first child. From then till now, I have actually lost count of the number of maids I have employed.
We have employed Filipinos as well as Indonesians. They come and leave after a few months or so. They would usually say that they want to go home or want to work as factory workers.
We thought we had finally found the perfect maid (an Indonesian) about three years ago. We treated her well and like so many of the supposedly wonderful employers who have been highlighted in the media recently, we also bought her clothes and jewellery, magazines for her to read, gave her off days (although according to the maid agencies Indonesian maids are not entitled to any off days), took her on our holidays, celebrated Hari Raya and let her call home to her parents in Indonesia whenever she felt home- sick.
Then, in 2003, about six months before her two-year contract expired, we asked if she would like to renew her contract ...