Wanita Barisan Nasional (BN) today urged the Malaysian and the Indonesian governments to take over the management of foreign maids in the country to control the cost of hiring them, which is on the rise.

Its leader, Datuk Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, said she believed that if the government to government approach could be implemented, the cost of hiring foreign maids could be reduced to only between RM3,000 and RM4,000.

"The cost can be reduced because the government can bring in many maids at one time, including in one flight using a chartered low cost carrier," she told a media conference here today.

Shahrizat said the Wanita BN also found the cost of RM6,700 for hiring a foreign maid set by the Malaysian Association of Foreign Maid Agencies too high and not affordable by most families in need of domestic helpers.

She said the government could also address the problem by appointing a special agent to manage the hiring of foreign maids in the country.

"The government can come up with a plan and work with the agency concerned for a smoother, cleaner, faster and affordable process," she added.

Last Friday, Papa announced that the cost of hiring an Indonesian foreign maid had been set at RM6,700, apart from the additional RM1,800 which would be deducted from the maid's salary. The new rate takes effect immediately.

However, the Malaysian National Association of Employment Agencies (Pikap) disagreed on the cost and urged the government to make an announcement on the matter.