"The moratorium will be imposed until the implementation of a system which would provide protection for migrant workers," Manpower Minister Muhaimin Iskandar said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The moratorium imposed by the Indonesian government on the dispatch of migrant workers to Saudi Arabia will be effective until the two countries reach an agreement to implement workers protection.

"The moratorium will be imposed until the implementation of a system which would provide protection for migrant workers," Manpower Minister Muhaimin Iskandar said after a meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

The minister actually had been imposing a soft moratorium since January this year. "Based on the soft moratorium, the number of worker dispatch is reduced by 50 percent," he said.

But now, Indonesia raised its status from soft moratorium to total moratorium.

"The embassy in Saudi Arabia will check the conditions of Indonesian migrant workers in Saudi Arabia. If they are found to be in good conditions, their service would be extended," he said.

Muhaimin said that the imposition of the total moratorium on the sending of workers to Saudi Arabia aimed to taking improvements on workers protection, particularly after the many cases befalling Indonesian workers, such as the beheading of Ruyati last weekend.

"After considering and studying the impact of total tightening for the past three months the Indonesian government decided to conduct a moratorium on the dispatch of workers to Saudi Arabia," he said at a press conference at his office.

He said the moratorium was the final step of total tightening done since January and would only be revoked after a memorandum of understanding is signed by Indonesia and Saudi Arabia on the protection of workers and on the establishment of Joint Task Force by the two countries.

"Regulations would be made based on policies linked to the system of recruitment and supervision would also be done on the process of recruitment at home and at points of departure," he said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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