Understanding Malaysia’s current maid salary is essential for employers and domestic helpers. In 2024, the salary structure for maids in Malaysia continues to evolve, reflecting changes in the cost of living, regulations, and the demand for domestic services. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown to help you stay informed about Indonesian and Filipino Maids, the dominant nationality of domestic helpers in Malaysia. For starters, it is important for you to keep in mind that the salary varies depending on the nationality of the maid.
Salary for Indonesian Maids in Malaysia
Indonesian maids are among the most common domestic helpers in Malaysia. In 2024, the salary for Indonesian maids in Malaysia is RM1,500. This figure is the minimum amount set by the governments and embassies for the interest of domestic helpers in Malaysia. Due to the longstanding relationship between Malaysia and Indonesia regarding domestic workers, the salary range is generally well-established and fixed, though it may vary slightly based on the maid’s skills and the employer’s expectations. This means that employers still have the option to increase the salary of their maid on their own discretion, based on the maid’s performance, experience and expectations.
This salary agreement was recently mandated by a memorandum of understanding on the Employment and Protection of Indonesian Domestic Workers in Malaysia (MOU PDI) on April 1st 2022. This was a mutual agreement between Malaysia and Indonesia for the regulations set for Indonesian maids. The MoU set a maximum cost of RM15,000 to hire a domestic worker, workers weekly and annual leave entitlements, a ban on withholding passports, an online complaint system and the rule on one maid per household not exceeding six people as well as setting a minimum wage of RM1,500.
Salary for Filipino Maids in Malaysia
As of 2024, the minimum salary for maids in Malaysia, especially for those from the Philippines, is set at approximately RM1,800 per month. This minimum is guided by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), which mandates a baseline salary of USD $400 for Filipino domestic helpers. Employers are encouraged to adhere to these standards to ensure fair compensation. Once again, employers can pay their Filipino maids a higher salary if needed!
Off-Days Rate
As per the terms in the contract between employers and maids in Malaysia, maids in Malaysia are entitled to 1 day of rest day per week. In other words, you are only entitled to expect your maid to carry out her daily tasks for 26 days a month. However, employers have the option to request for the maid to work on rest days, with an overtime rate that must be compensated to the maid.
How To Calculate My Maid’s Salary?
Indonesian Maids Off-Days Rate
The overtime rate for Indonesian maids in Malaysia is set by the Indonesian Embassy with the following formula:
(Base Salary/26 working days) x 1.5
For example: If your Indonesian maid worked on 2 rest days in July, then your maid’s off-day pay in July would be ((RM1,500 (Base Salary) / 26) x 1.5) x 2 = RM173 (RM86 a day). This brings your maid’s total payable salary in July to RM1,500 + RM173 = RM1,673.
Filipino Maids Off-Days Rate
The overtime rate for Filipino maids in Malaysia is set by the Philippines Embassy with the following formula:
Base Salary/26 Working Days
For example: If your Filipino maid worked on 3 rest days in December, then your maid’s off-day pay in December would be RM1,800 (Base Salary) / 26) x 3 = RM207 (RM69 a day). This brings your maid’s total payable salary in July to RM1,800 + RM207 = RM2,007.
How To Pay Your Maid’s Salary
There are a couple of ways available for you to pay your maid’s salary in Malaysia. It is important for employers to pay the maid’s salary on time every month as maids are usually in need of the cash for their families back home.
- Cash and then remittance
- Local Bank Account
- Through A Maid Agency
Cash and Remittance
Most domestic helpers in Malaysia would use remittance services like Western Union or International Money Express to send their pay in cash to their relatives back home, keeping a portion of the money for themselves as pocket money. On their days off, it would be convenient for domestic workers to transfer their money home via the closest remittance counter.
Remittance service users do not need to open a bank account or submit a lot of paperwork in order to send and receive money abroad, in contrast to traditional banking. Remittance services are a popular choice for many migrant workers due of their hassle-free nature. You can transfer money using a number of methods with remittance firms, including online, in-person, bank account, and mobile wallet. The money can also be received by your recipient.
Local Bank Account
It is typical practice for employers to immediately open a personal bank account for their maids in Malaysia such as Maybank, AM Bank and other banks that offer convenient fast account openings. This is because this allows the maid to have full control over her personal money. As a maid agency, we always advise our customers to open a bank account for their maids. This offers maximum protection for the maid and is hassle-free today!
Paying Through a Maid Agency
While this method is the most risky and not advised, many employers still choose to pay their maid’s salary to their maid agency for convenient sake and due to a lack of knowledge. Employers are supposed to settle any outstanding salary of their maid directly with the maid and not the maid agency as this is not common practice. We advise employers to practice a fair compensation scheme for maids for the best interest of the maids in Malaysia.
Tips For You
- Always keep all receipts and record your salary payments to your maid in an organized manner. This is to prevent any confusion and miscommunication in the future!
- Always pay your maid’s salary on time, preferably at the end of of every month. Our maids work extremely hard for the comfort of ours and it is only right to compensate them on time. Maids who are not consistently paid on time have a higher chance of terminating the contract!
- Always calculate your maid’s salary correctly, including all overtime payments in it.
Staying informed about the latest maid salary trends in Malaysia is crucial for maintaining a fair and legal employment relationship. By understanding the minimum salary requirements, employers can ensure they are providing appropriate compensation for their domestic helpers in 2024.
For more insights and updates on maid salaries in Malaysia, stay connected with Innovedge, your trusted partner in domestic services.
