Indonesian domestic workers in Hong Kong call for standardised training to minimise potential disputes with employers paying higher fees

Representatives of Indonesian Migrant Workers’ Union gather outside consulate to express concern over enforcement of ‘zero placement fees’ policy

Updated policy, which Jakarta revised in 2020 and again last year, requires employers to shoulder full recruitment cost of up to HK$20,000 for helper

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Representatives of the Indonesian Migrant Workers’ Union gather outside the country’s consulate in Causeway Bay. Photo:Handout

Published: 12:02am, 7 Aug 2023Updated: 12:18am, 7 Aug 2023

Indonesian domestic workers have urged the Jakarta and Hong Kong governments to standardise training for helpers to minimise potential disputes with employers, saying bosses might have higher expectations after being asked to pay increased fees under a revised policy.

More than a dozen representatives of the Indonesian Migrant Workers’ Union gathered outside the country’s consulate in Causeway Bay on Sunday to express concern over the enforcement of a “zero placement fees” policy for domestic helpers, saying the change was “good on paper” but might not be implemented well in reality.

The updated policy, which Jakarta revised in 2020 and again last year, requires employers to shoulder the full recruitment cost of up to HK$20,000 (US$2,560) – several thousand dollars more than the present HK$7,000 to HK$13,000 charge, agencies and helpers’ unions in the city said.

Workers would only need to pay their own training fee.

Indonesian domestic workers enjoy a day off in Hong Kong. Photo: Edmond So

Indonesia last week announced that it would enforce the policy in full, after many Hong Kong agencies and employers were said to be unaware of the changes.

“We are happy with the policy but not the implementation,” Indonesian Migrant Workers’ Union chairwoman Sringatin said.