"Surely this is a very good achievement for the two countries to collectively agree to improve the governance of the placement and protection of Indonesian migrant workers in Malaysia," Fauziyah said at a press conference at the ministry's office here on Friday.
Discussions on the draft MoU had begun in October 2021 itself and the agreement was finalized in March 2022, she informed. The MoU had been initiated by the Indonesian government in 2016.
In general, the principles agreed to by both countries under the agreement seek to ensure better protection for Indonesian migrant workers engaged in the domestic sector, Fauziyah said.
As per the MoU, both countries have agreed that the One Channel System will be the only legal channel for the recruitment and placement of migrant workers in the Malaysian domestic sector, she highlighted.
The system will integrate the online systems of Indonesia and Malaysia. From now on, all placements will have to go through Indonesian and Malaysian recruitment agencies registered in the system.
Migrant workers will also only work in one house with a maximum of six family members. Job descriptions will be specified for each position so that Indonesian workers do not do other jobs.
The migrant workers will also be covered by Malaysia's employment insurance scheme for foreign workers and health insurance, whose premium costs will be paid by their employer.
The Indonesian representative in Malaysia has the authority to set the minimum wage for migrant workers, which is 1,500 Malaysian ringgit or around Rp5.1 million, and the minimum income for prospective employers at 7 thousand ringgit, or around Rp23 million.
Minister Fauziyah said that both governments will periodically monitor and evaluate the process of migrant workers’ placement in Malaysia's domestic sector under the One Channel System.
Malaysian Human Resources Minister Dato' Seri Saravanan Murugan said the MoU between the two countries will encourage the implementation of that agreement.
This is in line with the expectations expressed by President Joko Widodo, who witnessed the signing of the MoU with Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob from Merdeka Palace on Friday.
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Translator: Prisca T V, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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