PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA: Employers are against the proposal to grant a mandatory day off in a week for their maids.

Some of them expressed concern that their maids would mix with bad hats if they were allowed to roam freely on their days off.

They felt that off days should be on a mutual basis between the employer and the maid and not be dictated by law.

A housewife from here who wished to be known only as Puan Azizah said her Indonesian maid of 13 years had never asked for a day off and she seemed happy to be working for the family on a full-time basis.

"Where will they go on their own if they get an off day?" she asked.

Another employer W.H. Khoo, 44, expressed concern that the maids would be distracted and there was a danger of them mixing with the wrong company.

"I take my maid to the cinema and shopping. But I will discourage the proposal of a mandatory day off for maids," she said.

Jim, 62, who works with a trading company said he did not mind taking his maid along on family outings but he was worried about his maid's safety if she was to be on her own.

Asean Federation for Psychiatry and Mental Health president Prof Dr Mohamad Hussain Habil said one day off was inadequate and maids should be treated equally like any worker under labour laws.

He added that a guideline should also be set for employers on the do's and don'ts in treating their maids.

-The Star/Asia News Network