Local agencies bringing in domestic help from Indonesia may go bust if the cost of bringing in a maid from the republic is maintained at RM4,511, as has been agreed by the neighbours.

Malaysia National Association of Employment Agencies (PIKAP) president Datuk Raja Zulkepley Dahalan said PIKAP did not agree with the fee as the actual cost to bring in a maid from Indonesia was much higher.

"Based on the RM4,511 fee agreed, the employer pays RM2,711 while the maid RM1,800, which will be deducted by RM300 monthly from her pay over six months.

"The amount does not incluide the cost borne by the agencies in getting their Indonesian counterparts to find maids willing to come and work in Malaysia. This cost is not negotiable,".
However, he declined to dislose the cost for this.

Raja Zulkepley was commenting on a statement by Malaysian Maid Employers Association (MAMA) which questioned PIKAP's call to review the maid hiring fee because it was too low.

He said PIKAP was not consulted before protocols to amend the Memorandum of Understanding on the Hiring of Indonesian Maids 2006 were agreed to by both countries on May 30, 2011.

Based on the changes, the fee for bringing in a maid was set at RM4,511, the maid is to be given one rest day a week and should be allowed to keep her passport.

Raja Zulkepley said local maid agencies were complaining of difficulties in bringing in maids from Indonesia because their preferred choice were Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong where the salaries were much higher.

"As such , PIKAP is willing to discuss with government so that a fair review can be made to ensure continuity in bringing Indonesian maids," he said.

He also denied that employers were asked to pay between RM13,000 and RM16,000 to secure an Indonesian maid, saying all 220 agencies under its jurisdiction adhered to the RM4,511 fee set.

According to him, it could be that the additional cost was for payment of Visa Journey Perform (JP) which was handled by agents or individuals.

"PIKAP has long asked for the JP to be abolished because it is problematic, especially concerning the welfare of maids because they do not have insurnace protection, face documentation problems and do not receive 200 hours of training as stipulated in the MoU.

"Employers also face problems if the maids are unable to carry out their responsibilities well or run away because they are not guaranteed by licensed agencies," he said, adding that there was also a risk of human trafficking if the agents were irresponsible.