According to figures provided to online publication New Naratif in Migrant Domestic Workers in Malaysia: Forced Labour and its Catalysts by Joshua Low, in 2023 there were over 94,000 migrant domestic workers in Malaysia. Of this figure, 26% or 24,400 people were from the Philippines. Filipino domestic workers have been migrating to Malaysia for work since the 1980s,
In 2014, Asosasyon ng mga Makabayang Manggagawang Pilipino Overseas (AMMPO) – the Association of Filipino Overseas Workers – was structured and organized under the leadership of SENTRO, the national trade union of the Philippines. The association focuses on fighting for equal rights as employees under the Employment Act 1955 as domestic workers are not afforded the same rights as other employees, such as days off, paid leave, employment provident fund and so forth. In the last 10 years, AMMPO has conducted workshops on workers’ rights, womens’ rights, and labour laws in Malaysia, as well as connect with local NGOs and maintained a relationship with the Embassy of the Philippines in Malaysia.
MIDEQ Malaysia commissioned a local production company Fat Bidin who collaborated with AMMPO to create Much Better: the Story of Filipino Domestic Workers in Malaysia, a documentary on their struggles and misconceptions they face in Malaysia as well as back home. The documentary was produced in a short period of time, between July to October 2024, resulting in a 20-minute documentary featuring four members of AMMPO.
Debunking misconceptions on the migrant experience
In July 2024, Fat Bidin met up with several AMMPO members to discuss possible themes and treatment of the documentary. Each member in attendance (7 in total) shared their reasons for coming to Malaysia and the struggles that they subsequently faced in the country. They also related the weight of expectations from home as well as the misconceptions they face both from their families at home, other migrant communities and Malaysians.
The common theme that surfaced from all their reflections was the need to address these misconceptions and to advocate for a 24-hour day off for migrant domestic workers. After the treatment & style was approved, dates and slots were set for filming of the interviews with four of the members - Donna Mae Custodio, Jovelyn Tantiado, Annalisa Bulfa Vargas and Anastassia Cardose.
The interviews were all conducted at the AMMPO headquarters in Kuala Lumpur with the help of a translator. Another day was spent filming them enjoying their Sunday in a well-known Filipino haunt in Kuala Lumpur city, the Kota Raya shopping complex.
Drafts of the documentary were viewed by the AMMPO leadership before the final copy was sent for post-production.
Spreading the word
The documentary was screened internally to AMMPO members on the 3rd November 2024. On 1st December, 2024, a college in Kuala Lumpur has already offered to sponsor a venue for the public premiere. Another venue in Kuala Lumpur has also offered to host a public screening at a later time. Invitations to the public premiere include AMMPO’s various NGO and civil society partners as well as stakeholders.
Fat Bidin plans to submit the documentary for competition to various festivals in 2025. This includes the well-known Freedom Film Festival in Malaysia which specifically showcases human rights documentaries from around the world. AMMPO intends to use the documentary to publicise their work as well as advocate for better working conditions for foreign domestic workers in Malaysia.