Employment agencies want govt to sign MOU quickly

PETALING JAYA: Employment agencies want the government to sign the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on domestic workers with Indonesia fast to enable them to bring in foreign workers.

Malaysian Maid Employers Association president Engku Ahmad Fauzi Engku Muhsein said the demand for domestic helpers was high now and the government has to expedite the process.

“Technically, we should be able to bring in Indonesian domestic workers once the MOU with Indonesia on the procurement of Indonesian domestic workers is officially endorsed.

“However, the MOU that was originally scheduled to have been signed in Bali on Feb 7 and 8 was postponed and there have been no announcements on the new date for signing thus far.

“This is not the first time such an incident has occurred either,” he said.

Engku Ahmad added that there was endless demand for maids from the public since the first movement control order in March 2020.

“The sudden postponement is causing inconvenience to employers. Many are questioning the timing of the postponement and want to know the reason for it.

“As Ramadan is approaching, we hope the government will expedite the signing of the MOU with Indonesia.

“More people have started to return to work and they are in dire need of help to take care of their elderly and children,” he said.

Asked on the cost factors in the sourcing of foreign domestic workers from other countries, Engku Ahmad said it depended on the procurement procedures, processing, distance, foreign exchange rates and agreed remuneration.

“Currently most of the foreign domestic workers employed are from Indonesia and the Philippines,” he said.

Julian Tan, a consulting director of an employment agency, said currently, the Indonesia Embassy in Kuala Lumpur would not accept applications as the MOU was not settled.

“The demand for foreign domestic helpers is escalating because employers know the government is going to open the country’s borders soon,” he said.