This is considered the latest blow for Malaysia - theworld's second-largest palm oil producer and a key link in the global supplychain - which is facing a shortage of some 1.2 million workers that couldderail its economic recovery.
According to Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Hermono, thefreeze was imposed after Malaysia's immigration authorities continued using anonline recruitment system for domestic workers that had been linked toallegations of trafficking and forced labour.
The system's continued operation violated the terms of anagreement signed between both sides in April, aimed at improving the protectionof domestic workers employed in Malaysian households, said Hermono.
Malaysia's Human Resources Minister S. Saravanan confirmedreceiving a letter from Indonesian authorities informing him of the freeze. He saidhe will discuss the matter with the Home Ministry which oversees theimmigration department./.
VNA