Fees for Indonesian domestic workers capped at RM7,800 each - HR ministry

 

PARLIAMENT | The government has capped the costs to bring in domestic helpers from Indonesia at RM7,800 and urged employers who encounter agents charging more than the set amount to lodge a report, said Deputy Human Resources Minister Awang Hashim.

Answering a question posed by Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto earlier today, Awang (above) told the Dewan Rakyat that the capped amount was agreed upon in a memorandum of understanding signed by Malaysia and Indonesia.

Of the total charges, RM6,000 is to be paid by the Malaysian employers, while the other RM1,800 would be borne by the Indonesian side.

"For your information, the MOU has set the charges at RM7,800. If there is anyone who charges more than this, you can lodge a report, and we will take action," the deputy minister said.

Awang was answering an additional question posed by Kasthuri, who was initially not satisfied with his explanation about the capped charges.

Kasthuri said she was shocked to hear Awang saying that the amount and questioned whether the deputy minister had been misled, saying that it does not reflect the reality faced by many Malaysians who had to pay much more to get one foreign worker in.

The Batu Kawan MP said she herself had to pay RM13,000 to get a domestic helper in the past, while some others were said to have paid between RM15,000 and RM30,000 to agents.

"What is past is past. Now we have finalised it. According to the MOU, it is RM7,800," said Awang, affirming his announcement of the capped fees.

- Mkini