So we got the forms (Wednesday), went through the guidelines (Thursday), which are somewhat confusing even for the Immigration office since it's new, and tried to get things going.  We found some obstacles surrounding medical exams that require calling visas (I'd rather not get into the laborious details), so we went to the Immigration office (today) to get the facts cleared up (Tip: Don't rely on phone calls.  You'll get nowhere fast).

We got a bit of the runaround, when we got to the office.  Some personnel were definitely unclear on what precise steps to take, even if they knew about the new measures.  Eventually we got the rules ironed out.  The next few paragraphs are crucial if you want to get the gist of it.

The processing of foreign maids who are to be employed by Malaysian citizens is done on the second floor.  The third floor is for the processing of foreign maids who are to be employed by expatriates.  So if you're a Filipino expat working in Malaysia like me who needs a maid to take care of his/her children, floor number 3 is what you're looking for.

I hereby quote the Malaysian Immigration website, under Stage 2, Section "Other Immigration Facilties for Expatriates", Item 3:

"Special approval for expatriates to bring along their maids regardless of nationality of the maids.

• Application can be done before or after the expatriate enters Malaysia . The process and procedure is similar to the process and procedure of applying approval for dependent of the expatriate."

And there's more in the following Additional Informations section:

"Malaysian Government has decided to give Visa on Arrival (VOA) facilities to the Expatriate including of wife, children and maid.  

Procedures and conditions:

• Applicant must present at the Immigration Office

• Visa Application Form IM 47

• Applicant must possess origin country passport that is valid for the next 24 month

• Visa On Arrival will only be granted upon approval of the Employment Pass by the approving agencies.

With Visa on Arrival (VOA), Expatriate and Dependent would be exempted from Journey Perform Visa

Can be applied at :

• Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)

• Kuching International Airport , Sarawak

• Kota Kinabalu International Airport , Sabah"

Take note that I've highlighted "approving agencies".  Here's the kicker.  The expatriate division said that if we were from any other country but the Philippines, our maid's visa to stay with us would have been already been processed, maybe even available within the same day.  But the Philippines is the only country which requires special registration (with POEA) for its foreign workers.  Well, those are the officer's words, not mine.

I don't need to tell you how much worry this brings to two working parents, whose child has just turned a year old.

I'm not asking for sympathy.  Every parent who goes to work in another country has to face this reality sooner or later.  I also won't debate the merits of the POEA as it has its pros and cons.

But isn't it sad, that our government is the only one that has to make things difficult.  Support for the true Philippine heroes indeed.