ID :
79223
Thu, 09/10/2009 - 09:33
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/79223
The shortlink copeid
M'SIA WANTS EXPLANATION ON INDONESIAN EMBASSY'S ACTION
PUTRAJAYA, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysia wants an explanation from the Indonesian government on the reluctance of it's embassy in Kuala Lumpur to renew passports of maids working here and imposing various conditions for the passport renewal.
Human Resources Minister Dr S. Subramaniam said the cabinet this
morning directed the Foreign Ministry and the Human Resources Ministry Attache
in Jakarta to seek a proper explanation on the Embassy's actions from the
Indonesian government.
"We have received complaints from maids, employers as well as agents that
the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur was reluctant to renew passports of
Indonesian maids.
"They are asked how much they were paid and if they are paid below RM600,
their passports are not renewed. Even if it is renewed, then various conditions
are imposed. This has been going on for the last one month," he told reporters.
The Minister said this before meeting Tamil school temporary teachers who
would attend the training during the vacation programme, which would enable them
to become permanent teachers. Last year about 300 temporary Tamil school
teachers attended the programme and this year the figure
is expected to be increased to 500 teachers.
Dr Subramaniam said the action of the Embassy was not conveyed to the
Malaysian government first beforehand.
"This move by them is extraordinary. They should have told us through the
proper channels. I hope they come up with a proper explanation on the matter.
This should be done by mutual consent and agreement. We hope to get an
explanation on the matter in two to three weeks," he added.
On another note, he said employers, especially in the manufacturing sector,
must first try to employ local workers with suitable pay before applying to
bring in foreign workers.
"They must offer employment to the local workers with a pay of RM600 (US$ to
RM650 and if this is not taken, only then can they apply for foreign workers.
These foreign workers must also be paid the same amount.
"This is to ensure that employers do not employ foreign workers at their
whim and fancy and pay them low salaries. This will also result in unemployed
local workers obtaining employment," said Dr Subramaniam.
He said the government was trying to increase wages of workers in several
sectors and this was why the Wages Council was set-up.
-- BERNAMA
Human Resources Minister Dr S. Subramaniam said the cabinet this
morning directed the Foreign Ministry and the Human Resources Ministry Attache
in Jakarta to seek a proper explanation on the Embassy's actions from the
Indonesian government.
"We have received complaints from maids, employers as well as agents that
the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur was reluctant to renew passports of
Indonesian maids.
"They are asked how much they were paid and if they are paid below RM600,
their passports are not renewed. Even if it is renewed, then various conditions
are imposed. This has been going on for the last one month," he told reporters.
The Minister said this before meeting Tamil school temporary teachers who
would attend the training during the vacation programme, which would enable them
to become permanent teachers. Last year about 300 temporary Tamil school
teachers attended the programme and this year the figure
is expected to be increased to 500 teachers.
Dr Subramaniam said the action of the Embassy was not conveyed to the
Malaysian government first beforehand.
"This move by them is extraordinary. They should have told us through the
proper channels. I hope they come up with a proper explanation on the matter.
This should be done by mutual consent and agreement. We hope to get an
explanation on the matter in two to three weeks," he added.
On another note, he said employers, especially in the manufacturing sector,
must first try to employ local workers with suitable pay before applying to
bring in foreign workers.
"They must offer employment to the local workers with a pay of RM600 (US$ to
RM650 and if this is not taken, only then can they apply for foreign workers.
These foreign workers must also be paid the same amount.
"This is to ensure that employers do not employ foreign workers at their
whim and fancy and pay them low salaries. This will also result in unemployed
local workers obtaining employment," said Dr Subramaniam.
He said the government was trying to increase wages of workers in several
sectors and this was why the Wages Council was set-up.
-- BERNAMA
