M'SIA-INDONESIA MEETING ON MAIDS POSTPONED

KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- Maid recruitment agencies may have to
wait longer before they can bring in maids as the Malaysia-Indonesia joint
working group meeting on maids has been postponed to the end of August.

Human Resources Minister Dr S. Subramaniam said the decision whether the
freeze would be lifted would only be made by the Indonesian government based
on the results of the meeting.

He said the meeting was supposed to be held on July 15 but postponed to the
end of next month at Indonesia's request.

"I believe it will produce positive results for both countries," he told
reporters here Thursday.

Indonesian Labour and Transmigration Minister Dr Erman Suparno was reported
as saying that Indonesia may lift the freeze (enforced on June 25) should the
joint working group meeting produce positive results.

On maid contracts, Subramaniam said foreign workers should be given
contracts as wages had been one of the sore points in workers and employers'
relations.

"The ministry will introduce measures to improve the contract and wage
systems to minimise disputes and satisfy both parties," he added.
-- BERNAMA