Lodge a report if agents charge more than RM15,000 for an Indonesian maid, Malaysians told

JOHOR BARU: Malaysians seeking to get Indonesian maids have been told to lodge a report with Indonesia’s consulate general office if agents charge more than RM15,000 per worker.

Its Johor Baru consul-general Sigit S. Widoyanto said they are still receiving complaints that there were agents charging fees exceeding the limit set through the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the two countries.

He added the MOU signed in April last year aims to provide protection to both parties, namely foreign workers and employers.

“Since this MOU was signed, it is estimated that around 1,000 applications for Indonesian domestic workers have been made so far, and the number is expected to increase based on the current demand.

“Based on the MOU, the maximum limit charged by agents to get domestic workers is no more than RM15,000, but we still receive complaints that agents charge up to RM20,000 or RM30,000.

“Accordingly, we advise Malaysians to report directly to the consulate general office to ensure that this does not happen, because it is an offence," he added.

Sigit said this in a press conference after attending a get-together session with Johor Media Club members at the consulate general office here on Tuesday (January 24).

He also urged Malaysian employers as well as Indonesians who do not have a valid work permit in this country to take advantage of the Labour Recalibration Programme 2.0 (RTK 2.0) programme that would start this Friday (January 27).

Sigit said there may still be many employers in this country who offered jobs to Indonesians illegally, and many Indonesians who enter Malaysia using tourist visas, but do not return after the 30-day period expires.

He added that with the RTK 2.0 programme implemented by the Malaysian government, employers and Indonesians without valid work permits can apply directly to obtain the necessary documents.

"With complete documents and work permits, not only will Indonesian workers feel safer and calmer in their work, but employers will also benefit as the productivity of their foreign workers will improve.

"This step actually provides a win-win situation for both parties involved, so we at the consulate general welcome the RTK 2.0 programme implemented by the Malaysian government," he said.