Malaysian bosses unwilling to raise RI workers' wages

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)