Indonesian maids’ levy may be reduced

KLUANG: The Human Resource Ministry may consider reducing levy charged for employing Indonesian maids to help ease the burden of employers.

Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, however, did not disclose the proposed amount, since the matter had yet to be discussed with his Indonesian counterpart.

"We will discuss the prospect of reducing levy for employing Indonesian maids, with the Indonesian authorities," said Subramaniam after opening the National Job Carnival 2009 here Saturday.

He added that his ministry would table a proposal to reduce levy on Indonesian maids during a joint meeting next month or the month after.

Employers in the country had expressed concern over the high charges incurred for employing Indonesian maids which can cost between RM6,000 to RM7,000 for each maid. On the proposal that the salary of Indonesian maids be raised above RM800 a month, Subramaniam said such a proposal or request had never been made by the Indonesian authorities.

"Such calls were only heard from the country's non-governmental organisations and not from the Indonesian government," he said.

The ministry would only consider requests from the Indonesian government, he said. - The Star