Jakarta is open to discussion on labour issue, says envoy

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia can request to review the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Employment and Protection of Indonesian Domestic Workers in the joint-working group forum to resolve pending issues, says the Indonesian envoy.

Ambassador Hermono said that while Jakarta was open for discussion, Putrajaya should also play its role to honour the MOU signed between the two countries.

"Of course, we are open for discussion. But as for the recruitment system, it’s already been agreed.

"If Malaysia wants to review the MOU, it can be brought to the joint working group forum," he told The Star on Thursday (July 14).

The forum was scheduled to be held in August, Hermono added.

On April 1, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan and Indonesia’s Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah signed the MOU in Jakarta.

Under the MOU, the republic required its recruitment to be only done through an One Channel System (OCS).

Asked about whether Indonesia will terminate the MOU if Malaysia failed to implement the agreed system, Hermono said, "What is the merit of having an MOU (if not honoured and implemented)?"

He added that the agreement was open for termination or suspension by any parties as stated in the MOU.

On Wednesday (July 13), Hermono said the Indonesian government temporarily stopped accepting new job orders for migrant workers in all sectors due to the on-going use of the SMO system.

The move has given Malaysia a huge blow as the world's second-largest palm oil producer and a key link in the global supply chain.

The country is currently facing a shortage of some 1.2 million workers that could derail its economic recovery, according to Reuters.

Saravanan on Wednesday said that the ministry would discuss the matter regarding SMO with the Home Ministry, as the system was under the ministry’s purview.