KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 — The current freeze on maids from Cambodia might be lifted soon as its government is seeking to conclude negotiations with Putrajaya by month end.

The Cambodia Daily reported today its country’s Labour Ministry saying the negotiation was in the final stage of a third bilateral meeting with Malaysia.

"Both parties agreed to encourage technical working groups of both countries to finalize all remaining issues at their third meeting to be held by the end of May,” the Cambodian ministry was reported saying.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Richard Riot is leading the negotiations on behalf of Malaysia.

Cambodia banned its citizens from doing maid work in Malaysia in 2011 following allegations that the maids were being abused by local recruitment agencies and also employers.

Both governments agreed in principle to end the ban in December 2015, but the final agreement is still being finalised though it has been over a year since the initial agreement.

The Malaysian government has reportedly agreed to legalise any Cambodians currently doing maid work illegally in Malaysia.