Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Subra flummoxed by Indonesia maid deadlock

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 19 — Datuk S. Subramaniam today said the supply of Indonesian maids to Malaysia will remain disrupted until Jakarta officially reverses a moratorium that has been in effect since June 2009.

Indonesia and Malaysia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) over the matter in May, leading the human resource minister to express puzzlement today over the continued delay in lifting the ban.

In June 2009, Jakarta imposed a freeze on the supply of maids from Indonesia to Malaysia, following reports of cases of abuse by employers and the lack of benefits, including a minimum wage and weekly rest days.

Although the issues were said to have been laid to rest following the signing of the MoU, local manpower agencies complained last week of continued difficulties in procuring domestic helpers from Indonesia.

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