A 45-year-old Malaysian woman, Farasafina Md Daud, with 23 years of experience in the banking sector, has chosen to work as a cleaner in Australia to support her family.
Farasafina, a mother of three, takes pride in the work she does to sustain her family.
Photo via TikTok (@farayassir)
Two years ago, Farasafina and her family decided to move to Perth, Australia, where her husband, 48-year-old Ahmad Yassir Hamdan, had the opportunity to pursue his master's degree at the University of Western Australia (UWA).
Despite her extensive experience, Farasafina found it challenging to secure a job in the banking industry in Australia. She explained, "The difficulty of getting a job based on my experience and qualifications made me choose to work as a cleaner because [the banks] placed more importance on local experience."
Currently, Farasafina works as a cleaner through an agency at a children's hospital and offers private cleaning services to individuals. Her job is versatile, involving tasks like kitchen cleaning and accommodating specific customer requests. She caters to a diverse clientele, including Arabs, Singaporeans, and locals. Initially charging AUD25 (RM75) per hour, her rates have increased to AUD30 (RM90), with additional fees for longer distances. On average, she cleans three houses per week, each taking anywhere from two to ten hours.
To make ends meet, her husband has also taken on cleaning jobs as they face a weekly rent of AUD415 (RM1,250).
Farasafina, despite her previous role in the banking industry with a more comfortable environment and a higher salary, does not feel awkward about her current job. She shares her experiences as a cleaner in Australia on TikTok, where she has received mixed reactions from Malaysian netizens. Some have criticized her for leaving the country to work in a menial job. However, she remains undeterred, emphasizing that her work is honest and aligns with her values, supporting her family's life in Australia.
"I'm happy to do this job, even though in the eyes of others, I might have downgraded from working in an office to becoming a cleaner. But I don't care; in fact, the locals here have never looked down on me," she expressed.
Farasafina's experiences have inspired her to shed light on the realities of migration, particularly the challenges newcomers face when trying to find a job in a new country. She now aspires to expand her personal cleaning business and employ Malaysian students who may need additional income while studying in Australia.
@farayassir Tak semua jalan cerita hidup kita sama.. Ada yang mai sini rasa best, seronok, ada yg gundah gulana, ada yg kecewa, ada yang putus asa dan ada yang nampak jalan cerita yg penuh bahagia. Tempuh dan hadap dulu segala ujian dan dugaan. Ramai yg akan mengata ramai yg mengherdik dan pasti akan lebih ramai yang menyokong dan sentiasa bagi kata² positive. Aku bukan lulusan graduan universiti tapi semangat juang aku tinggi lebih tinggi dari menara gading. Allah bagi kudrat Allah jua bagi kekuatan utk aku. Aku gunakan platform ni utk share ilmu yg tak seberapa ni. Mudah²an bolehla bagi hampa info dan hampa paham serba sedikit kehidupan kat sini. #malaysian #malaysiantiktok #nohatejustlove #fyp #love #positivevibes #follow #allahisthegreatest ♬ Beautiful Paradise - Aga Alamsyah
Farasafina's journey serves as a testament to the importance of respecting all industries and the individuals who work within them.
