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Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
M'sian Bar joins calls for stronger legal protection for domestic workers
The Malaysian Bar said domestic workers should enjoy equal rights and protections as all other categories of workers. PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Bar has joined growing calls for the government to strengthen legal protections for domestic workers. Bar president Ezri Abdul Wahab said many domestic workers remained exposed to 'systemic vulnerabilities' as they were still excluded from fundamental safeguards provided under Malaysian labour laws. 'Despite the essential nature of their work in supporting households, communities, and the broader economy, many remain unprotected, underpaid, and vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. 'The Malaysian Bar calls for the full legal recognition and protection of domestic workers under Malaysian labour laws, ensuring that they enjoy equal rights and protections as all other categories of workers,' he said. His remarks came in the wake of renewed calls by migrant rights group Tenaganita for standalone legislation to protect domestic workers, following the recent rescue of an abused Indonesian domestic worker. Domestic workers are excluded from key provisions of the Employment Act 1955, leaving them outside the scope of standard labour protections enjoyed by workers in other sectors. Ezri also urged the government to ratify the ILO Domestic Workers Convention 2011 and enact a dedicated law for domestic workers in light of the unique nature of their work in comparison to the formal employment sector. 'The government should standardise employment contracts and issue specific regulations for domestic work,' he said. 'These measures fall within the powers of the human resources minister and do not require parliamentary approval; therefore, they can be implemented without delay,' he added. He also reiterated the Bar's long-standing position that domestic workers must be respected, protected, and empowered through legal recognition and comprehensive reform.
Free Malaysia Today
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Bar urges AGC to review legality of Negeri Sembilan's stray dog culling plan
Bar president Ezri Abdul Wahab said there were no laws that allowed local councils to cull stray dogs of their own accord. PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Bar has urged the Attorney-General's Chambers to examine potential violations of federal law and take appropriate legal action against the Negeri Sembilan government's planned culling of stray dogs. Bar president Ezri Abdul Wahab said the professional body firmly opposed the move, adding that any issue of overpopulation must be addressed legally and with compassion. He said the state government's plan to cull stray dogs was inhumane and amounted to a breach of both procedural and substantive law. 'Local councils hold no position or authority to cull dogs and there are no laws that allow councils to do so of their own accord,' he said in a statement. Ezri Abdul Wahab. He said the plan contradicted Sections 29 and 30(1) of the Animal Welfare Act, which criminalise causing unnecessary suffering to animals and outline the proper management of stray animals. He also called on the veterinary services department and the Animal Welfare Board to intervene and halt the state government's planned mass culling of stray dogs. Last week, the Negeri Sembilan state assembly unanimously agreed that some stray dogs in predominantly Malay-Muslim residential areas should be culled to address safety concerns. Menteri besar Aminuddin Harun cited increasing complaints and public safety risks as reasons for the proposed culling, which would be handled by the local authorities. Rajesh Nagarajan of Lawyers for Animal Rights slammed the state government over its plan, describing the move as illegal. He said only the veterinary services department was legally allowed to cull dogs and any killing of dogs conducted by the state government would run afoul of the law. He also appealed to the state government to engage animal welfare groups to assist in rolling out a trap, neuter and spay programme.
