Differences between Filipino and Indonesian domestic helpers (maids) in Malaysia: Contracts, salary, rest days, overtime rates, annual leave [2024]
Published on 12 Dec 2023, last updated on 2 Feb 2024
If you are deciding between hiring a Filipino or an Indonesian domestic helper, it helps to understand the primary differences between the contracts governing their employments in Malaysia.
| Indonesian Contract | Philippine Contract |
|---|---|
| 2-year standard contract duration | 2-year standard contract duration |
| RM1,500 minimum monthly salary | RM1,800 minimum monthly salary |
| Rest day entitlement once a week, with overtime pay on rest days worked. At least once a month that cannot be compensated, as per contract terms. | Rest day entitlement once a week with overtime pay on rest days worked. |
| Overtime rate formula set by the Indonesian Embassy is (Base salary/ 26 working days) x 1.5 | Overtime rate formula set by the Philippines Embassy is (Base salary/ 26 working days) |
| Annual leave entitlement is 8 days for every year of employment = 16 days over the 2-year contract period. Any leave that is not granted is entitled to a cash out according to contract terms. | Annual leave entitlement is 15 days for every year of employment = 30 days over the 2-year contract period. Any leave that is not granted is entitled to a cash out according to contract terms. |
| Upon the completion of her contract, the worker is entitled to at least one month additional salary, if she does not utilise her annual leaves at all and wants to renew her contract without going back for holiday | |
| Contract can only be terminated after at least 1 year of employment without just cause. | Contract can be terminated without just cause anytime. 1 month notice is required. |