As Asia rapidly ages, who cares for the carers when they grow old?
Bessie* left the Philippines for Malaysia more than a decade ago to care for other people’s children. She stayed to look after their parents instead. Certified as a carer, she now freelances around Kuala Lumpur’s Klang Valley, earning up to 25 ringgit (US$6) an hour for round-the-clock shifts, with clients providing her meals, transport and housing. “My former employer was very understanding and…
As Asia grows older, the issue of caring for elderly citizens and the plight of those who care for them has come to the fore. Many Southeast Asian countries are experiencing a shortage of carers for the elderly, with workers often migrating to wealthier economies such as Japan, Canada, and Europe. Malaysia has become a common destination for these workers, who often come from the Philippines and Indonesia.
Malaysia is often a stepping stone for carers, who gain certification and experience before moving on to better-paid jobs abroad. However, this creates a strain on Malaysia's own healthcare system, as local nursing homes struggle to find enough carers. In Malaysia, carers typically earn between 2,000 and 2,500 ringgit (US$490 to US$615) a month, while those employed in Singapore can earn up to three times that amount.
The demand for foreign caregivers has prompted Singapore to seek bilateral labor agreements with countries such as the Philippines to diversify its sources of recruitment. Meanwhile, countries like Thailand and Indonesia are facing a shortage of their own, with Indonesia exporting the largest number of carers, many of whom lack a regulated profession upon their return home.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
