JWG to continue evaluation on Indonesian migrant workers through ‘One Channel System’

KUALA LUMPUR: Evaluation on the implementation of the Indonesian migrant workers recruitment channel, One Channel System, will be done continuously through Joint-Working Group (JWG) discussions, said Indonesian Manpower Minister Ida Fauziah.

The minister added that since the implementation of OCS in April last year, there have been a total of three JWG discussions between Indonesian and Malaysian job agencies.

“Since the memorandum of understanding was signed, and OCS was implemented, we have approved almost 5,000 job requests for Indonesian domestic workers.

“We’re happy with the implementation of OCS. And if we need further evaluation, we could do it through JWG discussions.

“The upcoming one will be in November,” she said, who was in Kuala Lumpur on an unofficial visit on Friday (Oct 21).

Ida attended a dinner event organised by the National Association of Human Resources (Pusma) that was also participated by members of the Indonesian Manpower Services Association (Apjati).

According to data by the Immigration Department, there are 444,741 Indonesians with Temporary Employment Visit Passes working in Malaysia, mainly working in the plantation, agriculture, manufacturing, services and construction sectors.

“The number of Indonesian migrant workers in the formal sector in Malaysia is larger. I have met with employers and agencies that have facilitated the employment of migrant workers and have asked for them to protect our workers.

“Both Malaysia and Indonesia need each other’s commitment as Malaysia needs workers and Indonesia needs jobs; so we hope that both countries can have that sort of mutual interdependence,” she said.

On April 1 last year, Malaysia and Indonesia inked an memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the protection of Indonesian migrant workers which outlined among others for domestic workers to be employed only through the OCS with a minimum salary of RM1,500.

The MOU also provided for the protection and welfare of the workers, including the right to notice of termination of employment contracts, paid annual leave, weekly rest days, rest time, and social protection with insurance.

Ida said that the protection of Indonesian migrant workers was the most important matter and she hoped that Malaysian employers would be able to uphold it.

“For the Indonesian Government, the protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) in the receiving country is a non-negotiable issue.

“The Indonesian government continues to strive to be able to improve and develop the management of the placement of our migrant workers, so that their protection can be guaranteed,” she said.

She had also appealed to Malaysian employers to grant Indonesian workers a time off from work on Feb 14 next year for the republic’s upcoming presidential election.

The election will be held on Feb 14, 2024, but overseas voters, including those in Malaysia, will cast their ballot on Sunday, Feb 11.