KUALA LUMPUR: The cost structure of hiring Indonesian domestic workers will be announced after the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Malaysia and Indonesia is finalised, says Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Awang Hashim(pic).

       The MOU is scheduled to be signed by both countries in Jakarta in April 2022, replacing the previous MOU that had lapsed in 2016, he said in a statement on Wednesday (March 23).

       The statement was issued to clarify his answer given in the Dewan Rakyat earlier the same day, where he mistakenly said that the new MOU had capped the cost of hiring Indonesian domestic helpers at RM7,800.

       "Regarding my answer in the Dewan Rakyat today while answering a question by the Batu Kawan MP, I stress that the RM7,800 fee involved RM6,000 on the part of Malaysia and RM1,800 on the Indonesian side.

       "However, this was the old cost structure based on the 9th Joint Working Group in September 2013 for the MOU that expired in 2016," said Awang.

       Earlier, in the Dewan Rakyat, Kasthuri Patto (PH-Batu Kawan) had asked Awang about the costs to recruit Indonesian domestic workers before the Covid-19 outbreak and what it would be now.

       Awang replied that the new cost was capped at RM7,800.

       Earlier, Kasthuri had also asked about the number of agencies involved in the recruitment of migrant workers from Bangladesh and the government's actions against syndicates that control, exploit and monopolise the hiring of migrant workers.

       Awang answered that the recruitment of Bangladeshi foreign workers is being done through 275 Bangladesh employment agencies, as agreed upon in the Cabinet meeting on Dec 10, 2021.

       "Measures taken by the government to prevent corruption, exploitation and control of migrant workers into Malaysia were taken through the creation of an MOU in relation to employment of foreign workers with the source country.

       "The MOU can regulate the process of recruitment, placement and employment of foreign workers so that it is more organised and with laws, regulations and existing national policies," he said.

       Awang added that only private employment agencies registered under the Private Employment Agencies 1981 are allowed to assist employers in managing all matters relating to placement of foreign workers in the country.