Kudos Malaysian Student

University students are challenging the social stigma related to domestic cleaning jobs, calling the work a flexible and honest way to earn some extra money on the side.

Azrul Rahim, who is chief executive officer of cleaning company Maideasy, told The Star that university students make up 35% of the team.

One of them, Fatin Amirah Azhab, said most of her customers treat her like a daughter instead of a maid, adding that the job’s flexible hours allow her to balance her time between studying and earning money.

Fatin, who is a medical student at Universiti Putra Malaysia, told the news portal that she only worked on her free weekends and made up to RM500 a month.

Likewise, Nur Hazliza Salleh, who is studying medical science at Management and Science University, told The Star that working as a domestic cleaner was nothing to be ashamed of.

“I am making money through my own effort and hard work. It is not something to be ashamed of because this is all rezeki (livelihood),” she was quoted as saying.

The first-year student, who is the second of five children, added that her family and friends were supportive of her decision, although she admitted that some people were also judgemental.

According to the report, though, Hazliza is satisfied with her job, which she took to alleviate her parents’ financial burden.

Speaking to The Star, Azrul, whose company hires only Malaysians, acknowledged the challenge of changing people’s perception of the job.

“They think domestic work is for foreign workers, so there is a great loss of job opportunities for locals,” he was quoted as saying.

However, he expressed confidence that many would be willing to take up domestic cleaning jobs if the company could offer a good pay and flexible working hours.