Malaysia must do more to protect migrant domestic workers

Human Rights Research Center
Jul 16
3 min read

July 16, 2025

HRRC is concerned by the lack of protection afforded to migrant domestic workers in Malaysia. Unregistered workers need immediate government support ensuring they are compensated fairly and work in an atmosphere free from threats of abuse.

Many households rely on domestic workers to balance their busy modern lives, yet these essential members of our homes don’t receive the respect and rights they deserve. [Image credit: Freepik via The Star Malaysia]

Domestic workers in Malaysia continue to live and work in an environment that is both unstable and precarious. Being employed within a household means domestic workers are often left unseen, forgotten, and unable to receive the protection that other professions are afforded. Furthermore, many domestic workers in Malaysia are unregistered migrants and as a result do not receive protection from Malaysia’s Employment Act of 1955, leaving them particularly vulnerable.

Domestic workers are primarily those who are employed within a home to perform tasks that can be classified as indirect care (e.g. cooking and cleaning) as well as direct care (e.g. caring for children and the elderly). A report commissioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that there were 130,000 registered migrant domestic workers in the country, but experts strongly believe the number of unregistered domestic workers could be as high as 170,000.

Of all registered migrant domestic workers, approximately 60,000 come from Indonesia, and while it is difficult to predict the number of unregistered Indonesian workers, the number is likely to be significantly higher. A survey carried out by the Indonesian Migrant Domestic Workers Association (Pertimig) confirmed the dire conditions faced by many workers.

The survey results showed that 95% of domestic workers do not receive a single day off each week, they regularly work more than 15 hours a day, contracts are often written in English which they do not understand, and communication with the outside world is often forbidden.

If unregistered workers continue to be unrepresented by the 1955 Employment Act, they are left in a situation in which they can be seriously exploited by their employers. In extreme situations, the lack of representation and support from authorities can leave individuals open to instances of abuse, both emotional and violent.

This situation calls for immediate change and for a proactive intervention from the Malaysian government. The integration of ILO (International Labour Organisation) Convention 189 is essential as this will guarantee one rest day a week for migrant domestic workers along with an enforceable minimum wage. Regular home inspections also need to be introduced to minimise the threat of abuse that domestic workers can experience.

Glossary

Abuse – Harmful or cruel treatment, especially when someone is hurt or treated unfairly.
Approximately – About; not exact but close in number or amount.
Commissioned – Officially asked or paid to do a job or task.
Compensated – Paid or rewarded for work, loss, or effort.
Dire – Very serious or bad; often used to describe dangerous or hopeless situations.
Domestic workers – People who are hired to work in someone’s home doing tasks like cleaning, cooking, or caring for children or the elderly.
Enforceable – Something that can be made to happen through law or rules.
Exploited – Treated unfairly in order to benefit someone else, often by making someone work too hard for little pay.
Extreme – Very great in degree or severity; far beyond what is normal.
Forbidden – Not allowed by law or rules.
Home inspections – Official visits to check if living or working conditions in a house are safe and legal.
Migrants – People who move from one place to another, especially to find work or better living conditions.
Outside world – People or places beyond someone’s immediate environment, such as the public or society in general.
Precarious – Not safe or stable; uncertain and likely to change for the worse.
Proactive – Taking action to solve a problem before it gets worse or happens.
Unregistered workers – People who are working without being officially recorded or recognized by the government.
Unrepresented – Not having anyone to speak or act for you, especially in legal or political matters.
Unseen – Not noticed or visible; often used to describe people whose problems are ignored.
Vulnerable – At risk of harm or unable to protect oneself easily.

Sources

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Malaysia must do more to protect migrant domestic workers

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