Deadline set for MOU with Malaysia<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari and Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The government has set March 2004 as the deadline for signing a
\nmemorandum of understanding (MOU) with Malaysia on labor in the
\nformal sector; otherwise, Indonesia would suspend its labor
\nsupply to the neighboring country.<\/p>\n
The MOU won full support from the House of Representatives
\nCommission VII on labor and social affairs at a hearing on
\nWednesday.<\/p>\n
Labor exporters have voiced their opposition to the draft
\nagreement, which they said did not provide necessary protection
\nfor Indonesian workers employed in Malaysia.<\/p>\n
Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea said
\nthe government would halt its labor supply for the time being,
\nsince Malaysia seemed less serious about signing the long-awaited
\nbilateral agreement.<\/p>\n
Nuwa Wea said the government was confused by the Malaysian
\ngovernment's apparent move to buy time, since the final draft had
\nalready been accepted by a joint team and disseminated to
\nrelevant authorities.<\/p>\n
Separately, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda
\nassented on Wednesday that the draft agreement did not include
\nnecessary provisions on workers' rights and legal protection
\nduring their employment abroad.<\/p>\n
\"The MOU also does not regulate training programs before
\nworkers are sent to their employers,\" he said at a hearing with
\nHouse Commission I on defense and foreign affairs.<\/p>\n
Despite the flaws, the draft ensures that employers are fully
\nresponsible for returning workers to Indonesia if the employers
\nbreach the contract of work.<\/p>\n
Hassan said the MOU would be signed after Malaysia's human
\nresources ministry settled administrative procedures on its end.<\/p>\n
The Association of Labor Export Companies (Apjati) opposed the
\ndraft, which did not cover industrial relations and labor
\nprotection.<\/p>\n
Apjati deputy chairman Anthon Sihombing said the MOU would be
\neffective in preventing Indonesian workers from migrating and
\nworking illegally in Malaysia, but it did not provide legal
\nprotection for workers.<\/p>\n
\"All Indonesian workers recruited under the new agreement will
\nbe provided basic wages during their five-year contract, although
\nmany workers meet the high level of skill and work experience of
\nthat country,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said Malaysia, like Hong Kong, should set the minimum wage
\nand give assurances that industrial relations policies will be
\neffective in providing legal certainty for Indonesian workers.<\/p>\n
\"Many Indonesian workers are happy to work in Hong Kong,
\nbecause they are employed under industrial relations policies
\nthat also cover local workers,\" he said, adding that the
\ngovernment should also include insurance schemes in labor
\ncontracts with Malaysian employers.<\/p>\n
Anthon said that if Malaysia was committed to providing fair
\nand humane labor terms and conditions, it should treat Indonesian
\nworkers the same as Malaysian workers.<\/p>\n
In regards legal and immigration issues, Nuwa Wea commented:
\n\"First of all, Indonesia cannot interfere in Malaysia's internal
\naffairs and therefore, our workers must comply with Malaysian law
\nduring their employment. Secondly, the MOU is aimed at preventing
\nworkers from illegally entering Malaysia, and Malaysian employers
\nfrom recruiting directly from Indonesia.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/deadline-set-for-mou-with-malaysia-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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