Ministers to sign worker protection

Ministers to sign worker protection

JAKARTA: Five Cabinet ministers will sign a decree on the
establishment of an advocacy agency to provide legal assistance
for migrant workers.

Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea said
after meeting with President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Thursday
that the joint decree would be signed next Monday.

"The first offices of the agency will be in Saudi Arabia and
Kuwait," Jacob said, adding that eventually five offices would be
set up in Middle Eastern countries.

Besides Jacob, the decree will be signed by Minister of
Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda, Minister of Justice and Human
Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Minister of Finance Boediono and
Minister of Religious Affairs Said Agil al-Munawar.

The agency will consist of Indonesian civil servants and
lawyers from the host countries, the minister said.

The government is establishing the agency to increase the
legal protection for Indonesians working abroad.--JP