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