ICC NOTE: In a surprising move, Malaysia has decided to bar non-Muslims from seeking employment within Muslim households. Many are hired on as maids, servants, and child care providers as according to Muslim law it is not considered Haram (forbidden). More conservative Muslim nations like Saudi Arabia do not bar non-Muslims from working within their households so the reasons for such a move are highly suspect. One scenario is the fear of children learning other religious practices under the care of non-Muslims but otherwise it is a clear act against religious minorities. 

8/16/2016 Malaysia (Asia News) – Malaysia’s Immigration Department has banned non-Muslim domestics from working in Muslim households.

The decision sparked protests by employment agencies and employers, who wonder what logic is behind the decision.

Comments on social media all tend to share the same view, namely that religion should not be an obstacle to work and coexistence.

“Religion should not be an obstacle,” said Engku Ahmad Fauzi, head of the Malaysian Maid Employers Association. “When you work in an office, you don’t base it on religion and likewise, this should not be the case for the maid in the home,” he noted.

One job placement agency owner who wished to remain anonymous wonders why other Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar allow Muslims to hire non-Muslims as maids and in Malaysia it is disallowed.

Business owner Zubir Rahman who has three children voiced concerns over the new policy. Zubir who has a maid from the Philippines, is seeking another Filipino when the contract for his current maid expires in December. He said he preferred Filipino maids as they were more reliable.

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