Some 200 Indonesian domestic helpers, migrant activists and religious chiefs armed with pots, pans and other kitchen utensils on Sunday took an 18-year battle online, calling on lawmakers to table a draft protection law, amid ongoing bilateral discussions for new recruitment terms in Malaysia.
Indonesian Migrant Domestic Workers Association (Pertimig) representative Binti Rosidah said the "Beat the Pot" action was a symbol of their frustrations with their country's lawmakers who opposed the draft Domestic Worker Protection Bill.
From kitchens in Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and other Indonesian domestic helpers destination countries, the participating group in a virtual gathering simultaneously banged on their pots 18 times (photo, above) - the number of years the draft bill has been dragged in and out of Indonesia's Lower House.
"We hope to not only knock on the hearts of lawmakers but also the public.
"Families of the domestic workers, civil society, religious leaders and others, convincing them that domestic helpers deserve recognition as formal workers," Binti told Malaysiakini on Monday.
At present, she said the tabling of the draft law has been delayed because of opposition from lawmakers representing the two largest political factions in Indonesia's Parliament.
Binti said the draft law, among others, calls for domestic work to be recognised as formal work, the introduction of social protection and a living wage for the workers.
"We hope that the draft bill will be passed soon because it will serve to strengthen our advocacy. If we have a good law (in Indonesia), that would give us power while advocating abroad.
"So, if this draft bill can protect domestic workers in Indonesia, automatically it will have a positive impact on us who are abroad," said Binti, who is based in Kuala Lumpur.
She further cited an example of how the Philippines government, through a similar legislation, had mandated a minimum wage of US$400 (RM1,676) for its citizens working as domestic helpers in Malaysia and other foreign countries.
Lower than minimum wage
In Malaysia, non-recognition of domestic work as formal work under the Employment Act 1955 has seen those employed in a household often being paid lower than the minimum wage, which is currently set at RM1,200.
The exemptions are listed under Subsection 2(1)(5) of the act's First Schedule, which migrant rights activists in Malaysia have repeatedly called to be removed beyond proposed changes in the main body, including amending the term "domestic servant" to "domestic employee".
Human Resources Minister M Saravanan previously revealed that the Indonesian government had requested for Malaysia - through the new recruitment agreement currently in the final stage of negotiation - to set a minimum wage of RM1,500 for its domestic workers.
However, Saravanan said, employers will only be required to pay the minimum wage and further increases will be at their own discretion.
In a related development, English-daily The Star on Monday quoted Saravanan as saying that among the final matters to be decided include the cost of hiring a domestic helper from Indonesia, which currently remains unclear.
"We are looking at capping the fees at between RM10,000 and RM15,000.
"We are still negotiating with Indonesia on this and are hoping for a favourable outcome," he said, ahead of an expected signing ceremony in Jakarta early next month.
If the agreement is reached, the maximum estimate of RM15,000 will be lower than the previously cited cost by the industry - of up to RM18,000 for hiring domestic workers through these agencies - prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. - Mkini
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