Cambodia and Malaysia Swap Proposals on Maid Agreement

The negotiations between Cambodia and Malaysia over a bilateral agreement on improved working conditions for Cambodian migrant maids are slowly progressing as both governments are exchanging draft agreements, according to officials from both countries. Ministry of Labor Secretary of State Othsman Hassan said that Cambodia recently received a counterproposal from Malaysia. “We got it now,” he said Monday, adding that officials were looking into the draft. … Human rights workers are urging the governments to be open about their negotiations and consult labor advocacy groups. “To make it transparent and accountable, the governments should not hide the [draft agreement],” said Moeun Tola, head of the Community Legal Education Center. …