JAKARTA: The Indonesian and Malaysian governments have reached an agreement on the final draft of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the placement and protection of Indonesian domestic workers (PDI) in Malaysia.

       They agreed on salaries, weekly and annual leave entitlement, the right to communicate, a ban on withholding passports and on one PDI only serving a household not exceeding six people, among others, reported Bernama.

       A “one channel system” will be introduced to integrate the PDI placement process starting from recruitment, preparation, departure, placement and returning, and monitored by the government.

       Indonesia’s Manpower Ministry tweeted that the schedule for the signing of the MOU between its minister Ida Fauziyah and Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan is being determined.

       The PDI MOU was signed for the first time on May 13, 2006 in Bali. Subsequently, the Protocol to Amend the PDI MOU was signed on May 31, 2011 in Bandung which expired on May 30, 2016.

       Indonesia said it hopes that Malaysia and all relevant stakeholders can implement the MOU consistently, said Ida Fauziyah when receiving the Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia, Hermono, at her office.

       Hermono, who welcomed the MOU, said it could be used as a “best practice” or guide for MOUs with other countries.