Indonesian agents shouldn’t charge over RM8,000 to send maids, says envoy

 

Hermono said the matter should be resolved amicably so that the process is smooth and benefits both countries.

PETALING JAYA: Indonesian maid recruitment agencies should only charge about RM8,000 at the most to send domestic helpers to Malaysia, said its ambassador Hermono.

Referring to a report in FMT today which said the agents in Jakarta used to ask between RM10,000 to RM12,000 in the past, he said this was too high based on his calculation.

“This is a business deal. I have calculated and found that it should be much less than that. It should be between RM7,000 to RM8,000 only,” he told FMT when contacted today.

Hermono gave an assurance that he will speak with the National Board for the Placement and Protection of Indonesian Overseas Workers in Jakarta (BP2MI) about the cost, as they are the official body that deals with the agents who send workers abroad.

“They are aware that Malaysian employers urgently need domestic workers. At the same time, the Indonesian agents have not had any business over the last two years because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I will speak to the BP2MI on this matter. Let’s work together to make it as reasonable and smooth as possible for the benefit of all,” he said.

Both countries signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the recruitment of domestic helpers yesterday with emphasis on better protection for the Indonesian maids who are sent to work in Malaysian homes.

According to local maid recruitment agencies, anyone wanting to hire an Indonesian maid had to pay between RM15,000 and RM16,000.

President of the Malaysian Association of Employment Agencies Foo Yong Hooi said about RM10,000 to RM12,000 of that figure went to Indonesian employment agencies.

“Malaysian agents used the balance for levy payments to the government, processing fees at the embassy, the transport of maids from airports, medical examinations, insurance, employment contracts and other costs,” he told FMT.

He said Malaysian agencies earn less than the Indonesian agencies, but they have to do a lot of work to bring in Indonesian maids.

He was commenting on Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto’s call to Putrajaya to provide a detailed cost breakdown for the hiring of maids under the MoU that Malaysia and Indonesia signed yesterday. - FMT