Indonesian Embassy Helps Felda Address Migrant Workers Problems

TROLAK (Perak, Malaysia), Nov 3 (Bernama) -- The Indonesian Embassy in Malaysia is to continue cooperating with the Felda Group in overseeing the welfare of Indonesian migrant workers in Felda plantations, Ambassador Herman Prayitno said here. He said such cooperation would also help enhance relations between Indonesia and Malaysia. "There are bound to be problems between workers and employers. We want to work with Felda to resolve any problem for a win-win situation. We must not allow these petty problems to tarnish the good relations between Indonesia and Malaysia," he told reporters during a visit to Felda Trolak here Friday night. Herman thanked Felda for the job opportunities given to the Indonesian migrant workers to earn a living to support their families in Indonesia. "They are getting a high salary as well as bonus, but it is my hope that Felda will increase their minimum salary next year," he added. Felda chairman Mohd Isa Samad said there were 28,220 Indonesian nationals working in Felda plantations. He said he was happy with their work and believed that Herman's visit would boost their spirit as well as forge closer links between the embassy and Felda. On the salary of the Indonesian workers, he said the minimum pay was RM900 (US$300) per month for those working in the peninsula and RM800 (US$267)for those working in the east Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak. "Those who are hardworking can earn up to RM1,000 to RM2,000 a month (US$333 to US$667)," he added. Herman, accompanied by wife Ratna Andarwaty and a delegation of 86 people from the embassy and Indonesia's Lombok island, where many of the Felda workers come from, were at Felda Trolak for two days, during which they also visited the Felda Residence Hot Springs in Sungai Klah, here. -- BERNAMA