THE Indonesian Embassy in Malaysia has been asked to lodge specific complaints on the abuse, mistreatment, and exploitation of Indonesian workers here for further investigation and action.

In a statement today, Immigration director-general Ruslin Jusoh said to date he has not received any official complaint from the Indonesian Embassy on the matter.

“The Home Ministry and the Immigration Department take this issue seriously and will not compromise with any employers who abuse and mistreat foreign workers.

“Strict action will be taken against employers who violate the law and regulations related to the hiring of foreign domestic workers,” he said, adding that those who commit an offence under the Immigration Act 1959/63 would be charged in court and blacklisted from hiring foreign domestic workers.

He said this in response to the statement by Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Hermono on the mistreatment of Indonesian domestic workers in this country yesterday.

Hermano was reported as saying about 90% of the complaints received by the Indonesian Embassy relate to domestic helpers, signalling a distressing trend that requires an amicable resolution by Malaysian employers and stringent enforcement by authorities.

Ruslin said the welfare and protection of Indonesian domestic workers are among the matters included in the memorandum of understanding between the governments of Malaysia and Indonesia on the hiring and protection of Indonesian domestic workers in Malaysia.

In addition, he said the Immigration Department was always working with relevant agencies such as the Department of Labour of Peninsular Malaysia, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Council, Bukit Aman and the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia to curb the exploitation of foreign workers, including those from Indonesia.

“We also urge the public to report and channel any information on employers who abuse or exploit foreign workers so that strict action can be taken against them,” he said.

As of October 16, a total of 447,094 Indonesian workers hold temporary working visit passes, of which 57,916 are domestic workers. – Bernama, November 13, 2023.