PHNOM PENH, May 25 (Xinhua) -- The Cambodian government has lifted a six-year ban on sending women to work as housemaids in Malaysia, a spokesman said on Thursday.
Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen imposed the ban in October 2011 following reports of physical abuses and law violation by Malaysian employers.
"It is true that we nearly reach the final process to reopen the market," Cambodian Labor Ministry Spokesman Heng Sour told Xinhua, referring to the sending of Cambodian women to work as maids in Malaysia.
"However, it depends on the choice of our people whether they want to go there or not," he said. "It also depends on the demand by prospective employers in Malaysia."
According to Malaysia's Bernama news agency, Malaysia's Human Resources Minister Richard Riot said on Thursday that the first batch of Cambodian domestic workers will arrive in Malaysia after Hari Raya Aidilfitri that marks the end of the holy fasting month of Muslims.
It is estimated that there are about 8,000 registered Cambodian workers in Malaysia with 3,000 of them being maids.
