The cost of recruiting Indonesian housemaids may rise further compared to the RM4,511 that was agreed upon under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries previously.

NONE The Minister of Human Resources, Dr S Subramaniam ( right ) said besides expressing their dissatisfaction on the existing rate, the housemaid agencies in both countries also disputed the quantum as being inadequate compared to the rates in other countries in this region.

"They (the agencies) said that the payment as stated in the MoU between Malaysia and Indonesia was too low for them.

"So we have told them to go and discuss and come back and give us what is the realistic cost, which eventually will allow them (maids) to come," he told reporters after opening the 17th ILTJM Convocation at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre today.

He expected the representatives of the agencies from both countries to hold a meeting with the Malaysia-Indonesia joint-committee in the middle of the month to discuss the issue.

"We don't know how much the increase is. Let them propose the new rate. But some are paying up to RM12,000 and RM13,000 to engage foreign housemaids. We hope it won't be that high. We will probably agree to a reasonable increase, not too exorbitant," he said.

- Bernama