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| Indonesian recruiters say the law took effect last year but is not strictly enforced (RTHK photo) |
A group of recruiters from Indonesia has arrived in Hong Kong to ensure a new regulation mandating employers to pay agency fees currently shouldered by Indonesian workers amounting to nearly $9,000 is being implemented.
The recruiters’ group known as Aspataki, said
Wednesday that it has been authorized by Indonesian authorities to conduct the
check.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE! |
The new rule set by the government in Jakarta will
increase the cost of hiring a helper from Indonesia to well over $20,000 as
agencies already charge around $12,000 to $18,000.
Previously, the Indonesian government allowed Hong
Kong-bound workers to pay up to IDR15,550,000, which is equivalent to HK$8,600,
for the costs of transportation, medical checks and training.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
According to the group’s secretary general, Filius
Yandono, the rule took effect last year, but Hong Kong employers are just starting
to comply with it.
“That’s why we want to come to Hong Kong to address
this regulation. We hope that all the employers … [will work] together for the
protection of the migrant workers,” said Yandono.
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Agencies that place Indonesian domestic workers in
Hong Kong say the new regulation could make employers shift to hiring helpers
from other places, primarily the Philippines.
The Philippine government has long ago mandated that
no agency fees should be charged to Filipino domestic workers bound for abroad,
but this is rarely, if at all, followed.
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| BASAHIN ANG DETALYE |
The prevailing practice is for the worker to pay the
cost of training and medical fees, which amount to roughly the equivalent of
their monthly salary.
Agencies also charge employers the hefty recruitment
fee of around $12,000 - or more.
The Labour Department said it has reached out to the
Indonesian Consulate General in Hong Kong regarding the matter.
It also said that the government has previously told
the consulate that any change in policies on deploying Indonesian domestic
helpers should not provide a significant increase in the cost of hiring them.
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| PADALA NA! |
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