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