You can certainly recruit a maid directly without the services of an agency, but it will be your responsibility to ensure you get the necessary approvals from the Immigration Departments in Malaysia and in her home country. Only women from Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam and Laos are allowed to work here as maids or domestic helpers (although some of these countries have barred their citizens from coming to Malaysia to work as domestic helpers).

you will likely find it extremely difficult to recruit a maid directly without the services of an agency. Regulations change without notice, and you may find yourself dealing with various government departments and embassies without a clear picture of how to move the process forward.

If you do decide to go it alone, be clear about the papers and permits needed by authorities in Malaysia and your maid's country of origin, and even if you are allowed to act on your own.

Bosses can save as much as 50% in costs when hiring foreign maids next year, says Malaysian Maid Employers Association (Mama). Under Budget 2018, bosses will be allowed to hire domestic helpers directly without having to go through agents.

Lauding the announcement by the Prime Minister, association president Engku Ahmad Fauzi Engku Muhsein described it as very good news. We would like to thank the Government for this move, as this will reduce a lot of expenses in procuring maids.