The MoU signing was observed by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob in the Credentials Room at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Friday.
"We have observed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the placement and protection of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia," President Jokowi noted during the meeting with Prime Minister Yaakob, as observed by virtual means through the Presidential Secretariat YouTube channel on Friday.
The president remarked that the agreement encompassed several matters on migrant workers' placement and protection, including the establishment of the one-channel system for the entire process of placement, monitoring, and repatriation of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia.
According to Jokowi, Indonesian migrant workers have made a significant contribution to economic development in Malaysia.
"It is appropriate that the migrant workers will have maximum protection and rights from our countries," he affirmed.
The president is also convinced that the agreement would not stop merely on paper but would be respected by all relevant parties that implement all provisions of the MoU.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yaakob stated that as a neighbouring country, Malaysia respects the contributions by Indonesian migrant workers to the national economic development and daily lives of Malaysians.
The MoU will become the basis for the recruitment process and protection of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia that would be implemented through comprehensive means by both countries, Yaakob remarked.
"We have recognised that the one-channel system will be the only legal means for the entry of Indonesian migrant workers into Malaysia and to select eligible employers for the migrant workers," the prime minister remarked.
Malaysia has also ratified protocols of the International Labour Organization (ILO) that demonstrates its commitment to addressing forced labour issues and protecting Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia, he remarked.
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Translator: Mentari Dwi G, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Sri Haryati
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