BUTTERWORTH, SUN:
The government has no plans to abolish the ruling compelling employers to pay an additional RM120 for hiring Indonesian workers.
Human Resource Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said it was for the induction course for the workers in Indonesia, a condition for their employment.
"The course is conducted based on our module where the Indonesian workers will be exposed to the Malaysian culture and way of life." He said of the RM120, the government only took USD10 (RM32) for stamping and processing fees," he told reporters after opening the Penang MIC delegates convention here today.
The course followed an agreement by Malaysia and Indonesia in 2005 where the workers have to obtain qualification certificates from the Skills Development Department (JPK) before they could be employed.
The Foreign Maid Agency Association (PAPA) had called for the RM120 fee to be abolished as it incurred employers additional costs.
PAPA also claimed that it would also lead to delays in delivering the Indonesian maids.
Subramaniam said the government would review the ruling if it was found to have negative effects on foreign maid agencies.
