Name change doesn't make domestic work abroad safe: groups
Womens rights and anti-trafficking groups have expressed concern that a change in legal title of labourers working abroad is superficial, and does nothing to improve their rights as vulnerable half-citizens. According to the Cambodian government, the Malaysian government now legally refers to domestic workers as "house assistants" rather than the terms "maid", "servant" or even "domestic worker". Lim Mony, the womens program officer for local human rights group Adhoc, said the change - done in the interest of boosting legal recognition of the workers - is merely cosmetic. Oum Mean, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Labour, said that he was pleased with the name change but would wait and see whether it prompted any real change in attitudes. (The Phnom Penh Post, March 6)
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by Vijay Ramani vramani@csr-asia.com
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