Malaysian bosses unwilling to raise RI workers' wages

JAKARTA (JP): Malaysian employers are unwilling to raise the minimum wage of Indonesian workers hired in their country because of their low skill levels.

A two-day meeting between members of a Malaysian association of employers and Indonesian labor export companies here agreed to step up protection for Indonesian workers, but differed on wage- related issues.

The Malaysian employment agencies object to Indonesia's proposal that they increase the minimum wage from 300 Malaysian ringgit (Rp 270,000) to 350 ringgit (Rp 320,000), and the recruitment fee from 1,200 ringgit to 1.800 ringgit.

The proposed rates are too high for the quality of Indonesian workers sent to Malaysia, the Malaysian representative concluded.

"If Indonesia insists on pushing for the raised minimum wages and recruitment fees, we are afraid Malaysian employers will start importing workers from other countries," said Ishak Kamaruddin, a member of the Malaysian delegation.

In addition to Indonesia, Malaysia currently imports workers from Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Bangladesh.

Momammad, another delegate from Malaysia, said however, that Malaysian employers would agree to increase their wages provided that Indonesia could improve the quality of its workers.

"Malaysia doesn't need domestic helpers. Instead, it wants housekeepers, workers who have skills in cooking, ironing, gardening and receiving phone calls," he said.

The meeting was attended by representatives of some 60 Indonesian labor export companies and 50 Malaysian employment agency members.

The meeting, which concluded yesterday, also agreed on the need to set up social security insurance plans.

Indonesian observers and legislators alike have repeatedly called on the government to stop sending poorly skilled workers abroad, a practice which has led to widespread physical and sexual abuse.

Earlier this year, the press reported the case of an Indonesian housemaid, Rohani, who was brutally burned and tortured by an Irishman and his Malaysian wife near Kuala Lumpur.

The Indonesian authorities left the handling of the case to a Malaysian court.

Deputy Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Worker Export Companies, Anthon Sihombing, said legal Indonesian workers in Malaysia should not only be protected by labor laws and social security programs existing in the two countries, but treated humanely as well.

"Indonesian and Malaysian agencies should now share the responsibility of protecting and ensuring the humane treatment of Indonesia's workers, from their departure to Malaysia until they return home," he said.

He said the agreement was in line with the Indonesian government's decision last February to phase out the export of skilled workers and to seek better legal protection for its workers.

Ismail Sutan, leader of the Malaysian delegations to the meeting, warned that all employment agencies should stop supplying illegal workers who are more vulnerable to exploitation.

"We have had no problems in protecting workers who are sent with complete documents," he said, adding that problems emerge when workers are sent without immigration documents and working contract. (rms)