How can Malaysia regulate the growing demand for home cleaning services?

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Proposal to Create a "Residential Cleaner" Category to Regulate Home Cleaning Services

The Association of Employment Agencies Malaysia (PAPA) has proposed the creation of a new category for "residential cleaners" to address the growing demand for part-time household help and to regularise the employment of foreign workers currently performing these services illegally. This initiative aims to formalise a sector that caters to Malaysian households increasingly preferring privacy and occasional cleaning assistance over live-in domestic helpers. By establishing a legitimate framework, PAPA believes the market can be better regulated, offering protection to both service providers and employers.
Formalising Residential Cleaners as a Legitimate Sector

PAPA's proposal stems from the observation that many Malaysian households now value privacy and seek cleaning services on a periodic basis rather than requiring full-time live-in maids. This shift in preference has led to a significant demand for residential cleaners, a service currently being provided by foreign workers operating outside the legal framework. By recognising residential cleaners as a distinct and legitimate work sector, PAPA argues that it will facilitate better market regulation and ensure legal protection and safety for all individuals involved in these services.
Expanding Sub-Sectors to Prevent Illegal Employment

Beyond residential cleaning, PAPA has also suggested the inclusion of several new sub-sectors to proactively prevent illegal employment. These proposed additions include caregivers for nursing homes and elderly care centres, as well as workers for car wash facilities and community centres. The aim is to create official channels for these types of services, thereby reducing the incidence of undocumented foreign workers taking up these roles and ensuring a more controlled and lawful labour market.
Addressing Delays in Labour Quarter Approvals

In addition to proposing new categories, PAPA has highlighted significant issues concerning the slow approval process for Centralised Labour Quarters (CLQ) and Temporary Labour Quarters (TLQ). The association noted that some applications for these essential worker accommodations have taken over a year to be processed, largely due to overlapping requirements from various government agencies. PAPA is advocating for the Housing and Local Government Ministry to streamline this process by providing clearer guidelines, which would expedite the development and availability of suitable housing for workers.

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How can Malaysia regulate the growing demand for home cleaning services?

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