Indonesia, Saudi Arabia draft new terms on migrant workers

Indonesian workers (Photo: www.antaranews.com)

Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia and Saudi Arabia have agreed to draft a new agreement on migrant workers as part of their commitments to resolve migrant workers-related issues.

Indonesian Minister of Manpower Hanif Dhakiri and Saudi Arabian Minister of Labour and Social Development Ali Bin Nasser Al-Ghufais October 18 signed a deal on drafting the new agreement.

The new agreement will cover some crucial issues, including the issuance of working visa, the establishment of seven job positions for migrant workers, as well as the 24-hour protection scheme.

The two ministers also agreed that the Indonesian representatives on manpower would have the authority to assist its expatriates whenever they have legal problems in Saudi Arabia. 

Although the two countries have agreed to draft the new agreement, the Indonesian government would not revoke the moratorium of sending migrant workers to Saudi Arabia. The two countries have committed to set up a new system that establishes some new positions for migrant labourers, said the Indonesian minister.

In addition, the two countries have also pledged to comprehensively solve the issues of Indonesian migrant workers in Saudi Arabia. The Labour and Social Development Ministry of Saudi Arabia agreed to prevent any forms of violations of Indonesian workers and ensure their safety.

Indonesia stopped sending migrant labourers to Saudi Arabia after reports of serious abuse to Indonesian workers two years ago.-VNA