The Indonesian government has halted the export of labor to Saudi Arabia for a seven-week period, declaring its hope that in the interim the Saudis will enact legislation to protect Indonesian citizens employed in the Gulf country, reported the Jakarta Post.
The government’s moratorium on labor export will run through August 26. According to the newspaper, some 370,000 Indonesians are currently employed in Saudi Arabia, making it a primary destination of Indonesians seeking employment overseas.
This latest action by the Indonesian government comes following reports about Indonesians having been mistreated by Saudi employers, and then finding it difficult to pursue legal action or recover monies owed to them.
As a possible solution, Indonesia’s minister of manpower and transmigration, Al-Hilal Hamdi, suggested introducing a type of insurance that is used in Hong Kong. There, prospective employers have to deposit a certain amount of money with the labor export agency before employing a migrant worker.
Al-Hilal did not say whether the moratorium would be extended beyond August 26 if no progress were made on the issue of worker protection. ― (MENA Report)
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
