KUALA LUMPUR: THERE are several reasons why employers are violent towards their domestic workers, the most common being the feeling of superiority over others, said clinical psychologist Azlina Mohd Ghaffar.
“Other reasons are stress and insecurity, which lead to feelings of disgust or jealousy towards the domestic worker. Usually, this happens when they feel threatened because their marriage is at stake.
“People with anger problems and poor impulse control, as well as those who have been abused by their spouse may exert violence on others,” Azlina said.
She said the victim would have to live with the psychological effects of abuse, including low self-esteem and a sense of helplessness. In retaliation, she said, the victim might abuse her employers’ children.
“The victim will live in fear and experience stress and depression.”
Azlina said this in response to the most-read story on NST Online yesterday, where a Datin here was charged with the attempted murder of her Indonesian maid.
Datin Rozita Mohamad Ali, 43, was accused of grievously injuring her maid, Suyanti Sutrinso, 19, causing multiple injuries, including to the eyes, hands and feet, and internal organs. Rozita allegedly used a kitchen knife, clothes hanger, mop handle and umbrella to inflict the injuries.
Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) advocacy manager Yu Ren Chung said labour laws did not give domestic workers ample protection.
“This relates to the law and law enforcement. For example, domestic workers are not guaranteed a weekly day off even if a domestic worker’s contract stipulates a day off.
“Law enforcement agencies do not monitor whether the contract is honoured. So, if a domestic worker is abused, they cannot get help.”
Yu said a false sense of superiority of the employers was another reason why abuse occurred.
“This typically relates to class, ethnicity and gender. Generally, domestic workers are poor women from an underprivileged background.”
She urged the public to report to authorities when they see cases of abuse of domestic workers.
“If you know someone is abusing their domestic worker, please do something. You can call the police, call a non-governmental organisation like Tenaganita or WAO, or try to talk to the domestic worker.”
Malaysian Association of Foreign Maid Agencies (Papa) president Jeffrey Foo said he was puzzled as to why a domestic worker, aged 19, could work in Malaysia when the minimum age required by Malaysia and Indonesia was 21.
“The recruitment process was suspicious to begin with. How was she (the worker) brought into the country? Was she brought in by a legitimate agency or by a syndicate?”
Foo said there should be a legally binding agreement or understanding to check the background of Malaysian employers.
“A solid mechanism has yet to be put in place to safeguard the interest of the workers, which includes the vetting process for the employers.”
Malaysian Maid Employers Association president Engku Ahmad Fauzi Engku Muhsein said a deterrent sentence was required for abusive employers.
“The punishment for convicted employers should be stern and heavy as a clear deterrent,” Engku Ahmad Fauzi said.
WAO provides free crisis counselling and temporary shelter to abuse survivors. It can be reached at 03-7956 3488 or WhatsApp/SMS “TINA” at 018 988 8058.