Maids hire capped at RM15,000, says Indonesian envoy

 

Under the previous MoU, the cost of hiring a maid was capped at RM7,800 per maid with employers having to pay RM6,000.

PETALING JAYA: The cost of hiring an Indonesian maid has been capped at RM15,000 and this has to be borne by the employer under the new pact expected to be signed next month, says Indonesian ambassador Hermono.

“This has been finalised under the new memorandum of understanding (MoU) to be signed next month. How much the employers have to pay depends on the market forces but it should not exceed RM15,000.

“If it can be lower than the maximum, we have no issues as long as it is acceptable by agents from both countries,” he told FMT when asked to clarify a parliamentary reply on the matter today.

Deputy human resources minister Awang Hassan told the Dewan Rakyat that under the previous MoU, the maximum amount was RM7,800 per maid with employers having to pay RM6,000 and the remainder by the worker.

Awang said this in reply to a statement by Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto, who said the recruitment cost before the Covid-19 pandemic was exorbitant with agencies charging between RM15,000 and RM30,000 each.

Asked when the delayed MoU is expected to be signed, Hermono said both countries were working towards inking it on April 1 in Jakarta with Indonesian president Jokowi Widodo and Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob witnessing it.

Two weeks ago, Hermono told FMT that all outstanding issues had now been resolved, and the embassy would ensure that the hiring of the domestic helpers would proceed smoothly.

He said the MoU contained a clause for “one maid per household with six members” to prevent them from being abused by working for large families or being shuttled to work for relatives and friends.

“Also, if among the six there is an infant or elderly who needs special care, employers must hire an additional domestic helper for this purpose,” he said.

He said the agreement did not provide a specific amount as a minimum wage.

“It will be decided by the embassy based on the workload the maids are expected to handle according to the needs of the employers.

“It could be around RM1,500. But the domestic helpers will be entitled to one day off a week. If the employers want them to work on their days off and the maids agree, they must be compensated,” he said.

Hermono said the controversial system in the past, where maids were allowed to enter Malaysia on tourist visas and then apply for a permit via the Maids Online System, had been scrapped. - FMT