PSWS would like to thank SUHAKAM for the invitation to be part of Stakeholder Discussion on Issues Relating to Domestic Workers was held on 29 January 2026. This is another opportunity to remind the State of Malaysia of its obligation to protect, respect and fulfill women’ rights in Malaysia.

PSWS has been engaging with the CEDAW Committee for years by providing information on women workers’ rights in Malaysia. Attached is the LOI intervention that was submitted by PSWS  for the 86th Pre Session-Working Group Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) February/March 2023. This LOI was also endorsed by partner organisations Tenaganita and North South Initiative (NSI). In this LOI, three major areas of concern were raised relating to 

1. Minimum Wages Order 2022 – Exclusion of domestic workers from the minimum wage of RM1500
2. Discrimination faced by Women Migrant Workers in Malaysia including limited access to justice

III. Discriminatory implementation of social protection/security for women migrant workers

These areas of concerns were duly noted and accepted by the CEDAW Committee. These are reflected in the Concluding Observations that were provided to Malaysia on 6 June 2024 – which can be found https://docs.un.org/en/CEDAW/C/MYS/CO/6.  The above concerns submitted by PSWS are reflected in articles 39 (f) and (g) and 15 (a) of the Concluding Observations. We were pleased that the CEDAW Committee reiterated that Malaysia is legally obligated to end discrimination faced by domestic workers and women migrant workers in Malaysia. 

To read more please find both these documents HERE