Throughout Malaysia, thousands of domestic workers are employed every year through maid agencies and foreign domestic worker recruitment companies. While they claim to provide fair job placements and good working environments, the situation for many domestic workers is deeply troubling.

According to human rights groups, domestic workers recruited through maid agencies are frequently mistreated by the employers they serve. Cut off from legal aid, many are overworked, underpaid, and elderly taker treated inhumanely. Some are living under slavery-like conditions.

Despite the involvement of local maid service providers in the hiring chain, there is a lack of legal protection to address violations. Improper regulation allows many agencies to exploit vulnerable workers.

There’s an urgent need for change—starting with stricter monitoring and systematic controls for every recruitment agency operating in Malaysia. Only through legal reform can we ensure the rights and dignity of every domestic worker.