Subra: Indonesian maids could be back by next month

November 23, 2009

By WANI MUTHIAH

KLANG: Malaysian households may be able to employ Indonesian domestic maids again by next month.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said discussions were underway between Malaysia and Indonesia to iron out some issues.

"There are only a few more issues that need to be settled.

"Once this is done, the maids can come again," Dr Subramaniam told newsmen yesterday. He was in Klang to give away school uniforms to Tamil school children from low-income groups.

Indonesia had banned its maids from coming to Malaysia in June following several high-profile maid abuse cases.

Dr Subramaniam hoped everything would be wrapped up by next month.

According to Dr Subramaniam, Indonesia had voiced its readiness to settle the issue as soon as possible.

There are currently 280,000 Indonesian maids in the country.

Dr Subramaniam's first round of discussions with his Indonesian counterpart Erman Suparno began on July 6 followed by several more talks which had among others touched on the procedures of recruitment and salary.