Indonesia to send 5,000-10,000 people in January to work in Malaysia

JOHOR BAHRU: Indonesia is expected to send out 5,000 to 10,000 of its citizens next month to work in Malaysia.

Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said the number included workers who would work in the construction and manufacturing sectors and as domestic maids (PDI).

"I have proposed 5,000 to 10,000 at the initial stage after we have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Malaysia and Indonesia, with workers for all other sectors also to be allowed in," he told a press conference after launching the Integrated Centralised Labour Quarters (ICLQ) in Pasir Gudang, here, today.

Saravanan said a Special Committee under the Manpower Department would be set up in the near future to protect the fate of PDI employees.

"This is a government initiative after the discussions held and we have agreed to protect the Indonesian workers, so it is our responsibility to set up a committee to fulfil our promise," he added.