The Human Resources Ministry announced that the maximum recruitment cost for a new Indonesian domestic worker (PDA) is RM15,000, and application can only be done via Sistem Maid Online (SMO) and SIPERMIT owned by the Indonesian Embassy.
The ministry stated that any employer who wishes to employ an Indonesian PDA must use Agensi Pekerjaan Swasta (APS) and the Indonesian Embassy. This is in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Malaysian and Indonesian governments.
The process for Indonesian PDA involves the Peninsular Malaysian Labour Department (JTKS), the embassy and the Immigration Department (JIM). Renewal of the work permit with JIM does not require confirmation from JTKS unless the PDA passport is still valid. Employers can continue to renew work permits at JIM without going through the APS service. However, if the PDA passport has expired, the employer must submit a new application using APS to liaise with the Indonesian Embassy,” the ministry said on Tuesday (Nov 14).
The ministry also mentioned that the requirement was already stated in the MoU, but the payment rate for renewal was not set. It added that the issue of renewing Indonesian PDA work permits will be discussed during a Joint Working Group Meeting for the Memorandum of Understanding between Malaysia and Indonesia on the Employment and Protection of Indonesian Domestic Workers. For hiring PDAs from other source countries, the ministry said that it could be done through APS or by the employers themselves. The cost for PDAs from other countries is subject to the APS offer and the consent from the prospective employer’s agreement.
The ministry clarified that the JKTS is not involved in the permit renewals for other source countries, and employers are required to submit renewals to JIM. The payment rate is subject to mutual agreement between the employer and APS (if the employer uses APS services). Any other form of payments is based on what was stipulated in the contract agreed between the APS and the employer. For disputes between the APS and the employer, complaints can be made to the Consumer Tribunal or through the civil court. Additionally, every private employment agency carrying out PDA management activities must have a valid license issued by JKTS. Under the Private Employment Agencies Act 1981, APS can charge a placement fee not exceeding the employee’s one-month salary if the charge was imposed on them.
