Rasa & Asa - Life as a Domestic Worker in Malaysia

The Indonesian Migrant Domestic Workers Association in Malaysia or PERTIMIG is an independent organisation fighting for the rights of migrant domestic workers, and advocates for decent work and welfare for the domestic workers in Malaysia. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many Indonesian domestic workers could not return home to their families. Together with other domestic workers from PERTIMIG, they find support and hope by learning to document their lives on their handphones. The short film Rasa dan Asa celebrates their solidarity and persistence to advocate for their rights, and we find out more from the film's co-directors, Okui Lala, who is also an artist and cultural worker, and Nasrikah, who is also an advisor with PERTIMIG. Also joining us is Umrohatun (aka Umi), a member of PERTIMIG, who was part of the cast and crew of Rasa & Asa. Both Nasrikah and Umi also share their experiences as domestic workers living in Malaysia, and recount some of the hardships faced by other migrant workers here, including being denied basic human rights and being ill-treated by their Malaysian employers. 

Image credit: Freedom Film