Worker's complaint

Worker's complaint

An Indonesian female worker who works as a maid in Hong Kong
wrote us a letter complaining about the levies collected by the
recruitment representative there.

* The cost for processing a new contract after the termination
of the previous one is HK$4,000 (US$525). This is known by the
Indonesian Consulate General in Hong Kong. While the Hong Kong
government stipulated that the agent has the right to receive
HK$375 as a recruitment cost from the worker (i.e. 10 percent of
the salary), this amount is to be paid once the recruitment
process is finished.

* It was stated in the receipt issued by the agent that the
amount collected was a loan, but there was no explanation as to
the nature and purpose of the loan. Besides, no receiver was
mentioned in the receipt.

* The levy may be increased up to HK$10,000-15,000. If the
worker refuses to pay, the agent will not give its approval to
their working contract, or may even threaten to send them back to
Indonesia.

Based on this information we would like to ask whether the
recruitment cost is in line with the bilateral agreement between
the Indonesian and Hong Kong governments.

CARLA JUNE NATAN

Center for Indonesian Migrant Workers

Jakarta