Abstract:

Large numbers of Indonesian women seek employment as domestic workers in Malaysia in order to escape poverty and unemployment. In most cases the decision to work abroad is made without being properly informed about what to expect. Most Indonesian migrant domestic workers do not know about process, procedures or their rights and possibilities to seek assistance when problems occur. The aim of the paper is to investigate the knowledge and information needs of Indonesian domestic workers in Malaysia and to suggest an information dissemination strategy which is appropriate to support these women. Major interest groups are identified, information needs analysed, challenges for the access to information critically evaluated, and finally appropriate strategies to disseminate information are recommended.