Now, Malaysians have to pay RM1,200 for Indonesian maid

KUALA LUMPUR - Indonesia has submitted a proposal to the Human Resources Ministry to improve the working conditions of Indonesian maids in Malaysia and a wage increase of RM1,200 per month from RM800 now.

“We propose that the wage be raised to RM1,200 per month. The wages in other countries are so much higher than those offered in Malaysia,” he told Bernama at the Indonesian Embassy here today.

He said the proposal paper was submitted to Malaysia during the joint working group between the human resources ministries of both countries in Putrajaya on May 12 and 13.

He said the Indonesian delegation was led by Labour Placement Construction director-general Reyna Usman while the  Malaysian delegation was led by Human Resources Ministry secretary-general Saripuddin Kasim.

According to him, Indonesia also suggested that Malaysia implement easier processing of documents and abolish charges imposed on maids estimated at RM1,800 per person.

“At the moment, we are waiting for feedback from Malaysia,” he said.

Last year, Indonesian president Joko Widodo said the republic proposed to stop sending Indonesian women abroad to work as maids.

Early this month, the republic decided not to send its citizens to Middle Eastern countries as maids following several cases of abuse and murder.

Prime Minister Najib Razak and Widodo during their meeting last February also agreed to establish only one maid recruitment channel from the republic to Malaysia to safeguard their interest and address the problem of illegal immigrants. – BERNAMA