IT is sad that some people abuse the privilege of having maids by ill-treating them.
The maids help them with their daily household chores, from mopping to feeding pets and cooking meals, yet, they are abused verbally and physically.
Take the case of the woman who was sentenced to eight years’ jail for abusing her maid: this should serve as a lesson to all employers.
My son lives in Sydney and does not have a maid to help him and his wife look after their 7-month-old baby. His mother-in-law and my wife take turns to go to Sydney to help them out. The baby is too young to go to a nursery and in Australia, one is not allowed to hire a maid.
In Malaysia, not all families have to send their babies to the nursery. They can hire a maid.
As such, appreciate those who help you. Most of the maids come from poor families in remote villages. They are not familiar with the modern way of life. Families who employ them must guide them patiently.
Years ago, a friend of mine hired a maid. One day, his wife was teaching the maid how to use a gas burner. When she turned on the knob, the maid ran out of the house screaming, “Api, api” when she saw flames! My friend, who was in the hall reading, also ran out of the house when he heard her shouts.
My friend’s wife was patient and taught the maid well. The maid stayed with them for seven years before returning to Indonesia to get married.
My friend and his family attended her wedding in Indonesia. They travelled 18 hours by car from Jakarta to get to her kampung. Their maid’s family and relatives accorded my friend and his family the greatest hospitality and respect.
I had a maid when my children were young. She was inexperienced and my wife had to teach her to do many things. She was hardworking and spoilt my children to the extent of tying their shoelaces for them every morning. I told not to do it, but still caught her doing it many times. She took good care of my children.
After working for us for years, she returned to Indonesia. She saved enough money to build a house for her family.
I also know of families who take their maids on holidays and treat them like one of the family.
Having a maid is a privilege, so don’t abuse it. When you treat your maids well, they will return your kindness. Maids are human beings too.
THOMAS FOO
Subang Jaya, Selangor