PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will discuss the memorandum of understanding (MoU) concerning formal sector workers as requested by Indonesia next month.
Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said the discussion by a joint committee between the two countries would also address relevant matters that need a review.
"We have a process for discussing this MoU because it involves the jurisdictions of two countries with very good relations.
"Therefore, we will address it in a joint working committee between Malaysia and Indonesia, scheduled for May, with Malaysia as the host.
"At the committee, we will also discuss and raise any issues deemed necessary for review," Sim told a press conference after the pre-launch of the 2024 Labour Day and Pocket Talks Series 1 Programme today.
On March 16, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had said that Sim was tasked with liaising with his Indonesian counterpart on the demand for a revision of a MoU between the two countries.
This was after a call made by the Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Datuk Hermono for a review of the MoU on formal sector workers from the republic to Malaysia, especially those in agriculture and construction, after 20 years.
Among the issues requiring attention is the embassy's necessity to oversee the process of hiring workers in Malaysia and the matter of salaries needing adjustment by the minimum wage policy in Malaysia.
Hermono said Indonesia and Malaysia have two MoUs related to migrants encompassing all sectors, signed in 2004, except for Indonesian domestic workers (PDI).
The MoU specifically involving PDI or domestic workers was jointly sealed by both neighbouring countries on April 1, 2022.
