Do We need Another Training?

I'm talking about the proposal by The Malaysian Association of Foreign Maid Agencies (Papa) which wants the Government to make it compulsory for prospective employers to attend a one-day course on responsibility and communication. (Training course for maids’ employers - Star Online http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/6/20/nation/4160588&sec=nation)

I hope that this suggestion can really change the attitudes and behaviours of some of the employers, however, it may not work out as one ideally expected.

Mutual respect to each other is the cornerstone of any relationship. The engagement of the maid to one's family is as serious as 'adoption' where they are going to live with the family of entirely different culture and background from where they come from. It's a vice versa situation for the family of the employer on this aspect. There are a lot of adjustments from both parties and the progress of integration is very much depend on the level of 'education' of both parties. A lot of mutual understandings and tolerance (or 'sacrifices') between the parties are needed to make the relationship cordial and lasting.

The suggestion is a good one but I just want to say that this training can only be served as a guideline and introductory to the maid engagement but not the whole answers to all the relationship problems.

To start with, we must change our attitude towards maid. They are professional in their own right and without them, our life is in 'limbo'.

The government must take the maid issue seriously as it has become a social problem.