RI and Malaysia agree to protect workers

RI and Malaysia agree to protect workers

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia and Malaysia have drawn up guidelines that standardize the fees and protect the interests of Indonesian maids working in Malaysia, Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief said yesterday.

"After a series of discussions with the Malaysian government, we concluded yesterday an agreement that will protect and guarantee the interests and welfare of Indonesian domestic helpers in Malaysia."

He added the guidelines clearly regulate all the costs which the maids have to pay for their training and accommodation prior to their departure as well as the costs to be incurred by the employers in Malaysia.

The agreement, signed on Tuesday in Kuala Lumpur, is aimed at eliminating illegal levies imposed by employment agencies in Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur, as well as minimizing possible abuses by employers.

Standardized costs which a domestic helper has to pay amount to Rp 1 million ($450), which includes placement service, documentation, a health examination, skills training, and accommodation.

Latief said that the government is trying to find a way to provide loans for workers who cannot afford to pay the training fees.

The guidelines state that employers will be responsible for the Rp 1.7 million recruitment fee, which covers transport fares, the work permit, insurance, documentation, a health examination, internal fares and service charges by the employment agency.

Latief said that with the agreement, workers can now be assured of their income after their working contracts, usually valid for two years, expire.

A domestic helper can bring home around Rp 7.5 millions during the two-year period, from an average of Rp 400,000 monthly salary, after paying back the Rp. 1 million placement fee.

The guidelines also state that the Malaysian employers should pay their domestic helpers through a bank so as to avoid any misunderstanding and irregularities on both sides.

At the news conference held at the Manpower Ministry yesterday, Latief said the government had asked a number of labor export companies to provide proper documents for 60,000 Indonesian workers who have been listed as "illegal workers" as they do not have working permits from the Malaysian government.

"Under the agreement, the workers who come home to celebrate Idul Fitri holidays can go back to work," he said.

Many of the 350,000 Indonesian workers in Malaysia are expected to come home to celebrate the Idul Fitri holidays on Feb. 20 - 21. (03)