Saudi Arabia Migrant Moratorium Still Stands

Jakarta Globe, February 23, 2014

Indonesian Migrant Workers on August 18, 2013 wait to
 disembark from the Labobar, the ship that brought them from
 Saudi Arabia to Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta after they overstayed
their authorization to work in Jeddah. (JG Photo/Yudhi Sukma Wijaya)

Jakarta. The Manpower and Transmigration Ministry said on Friday that the moratorium on Indonesian migrant workers seeking employment in Saudi Arabia had not been lifted, despite the signing of a memorandum of understanding touted as a step toward reconciliation on the issue.

“We want to confirm that up until now the status of the moratorium on migrant worker placement in the domestic sector in Saudi Arabia is still on, so sending migrant workers [there] is not allowed,” Secretary General of Manpower and Transmigration Abdul Wahab Bangkona said.

He said the moratorium remained in place because the details of a potential agreement had not yet been hashed out fully.

“The moratorium… is still on until there’s agreement on better systems, mechanisms, conditions and working contract standards which provide protection and welfare to Indonesian migrant workers,” he said.

The points that remain to be agreed upon include: authorized types of work, working hours, work placement procedures, salary and payment methods, time off, leave, contract requirements, contract extension and termination procedures, and other rights and obligations of employers and employees.

The Indonesian government has also asked for guarantees that workers would have communications access, the right to keep their own passports, insurance and medical treatment, control over their placement fees, the availability online recruitment and placement, placement and protection guidelines, a 24-hour call center to deal with problems and an established process for repatriation.

“Revocation of the moratorium… will be decided later after the Indonesian and Saudi Arabian governments and all stakeholders can implement all points in the agreement and agree on all conditions,” Wahab said.

A joint working committee consisting of representatives of both countries will be responsible for working out the remaining specifics, according to the ministry.

Related Article:

Rights groups criticise Saudi-Indonesia maid agreement