RI ASKS SAUDI ARABIA TO PROTECT ITS MIGRANT WORKERS

Jakarta, April 11 (ANTARA) - Indonesia has asked the Saudi Arabian government to protect its migrant workers (TKI) being employed in that country, specially domestic helpers.

Manpower and Transmigration Minister Muhamin Iskandar made the request at a bilateral meeting with Saudi Arabian deputy manpower minister Abdul Waheed in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

Muhaimin in a press release, made available to Antara here on Sunday, said protection for Indonesian migrant workers in Saudi Arabia was necessary to overcome various problems the frequently faced.

On the occasion, the Indonesian government also appreciated the Saudi Arabian government for protecting the TKI in discussions of a law that would regulate the migrant workers.

Muhaimin said he met his Saudi counterpart to improve bilateral relations between the two countries especially in manpower affairs.

"We focus our discussions on the protection of TKI in Saudi Arabia especially housemaids," Muhaimin said.

Meanwhile, Abdul Waheed said his government was making every effort to improve the protection of migrant workers.

Waheed said his government had discussed insurance for TKI in in Saudi Arabia.