Read more here: https://sc.mp/ymtg In an exclusive interview, Indonesia’s consul for protocol and consular affairs in Hong Kong attempted to clear up recent confusion about whether employers in the city need to pay extra to hire an Indonesian helper. Clemens Triaji Bektikusuma spoke with Post reporter Fiona Chow on August 24, 2023, that no change in fee costs would be needed if recruitment papers are processed through accredited agencies in the city. Earlier in the month, Indonesian Manpower…
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00:00 So let's start off with the most important questions.
00:03 Do Hong Kong employers have to pay extra under the zero placement fee policy?
00:08 Okay, well, first, the placement of Indonesian domestic helpers here in Hong Kong
00:13 is directed within the government-to-government framework.
00:16 It means that the whole process is implemented in accordance with the Indonesian and Hong Kong prevailing laws and regulations.
00:24 Both governments' policy and regulations are designated to provide the standard minimum protections
00:30 not only for the Indonesian domestic helpers here in Hong Kong,
00:33 but also to assure that it accommodates the best interests of the Hong Kong employers.
00:39 And then, on a separate note, we cannot set aside the fact that there is a business-to-business relation
00:46 which is conducted by the Hong Kong and the Indonesian employment agencies.
00:50 And I think the question whether or not Hong Kong employers need to pay more for recruiting Indonesian domestic helpers
00:58 lies within this business-to-business relation.
01:01 But nevertheless, I can assure you that as long as Hong Kong employers engage in a process which is legitimate
01:09 and in accordance with the prevailing laws of Indonesia and Hong Kong, they will not have to pay extra.
01:15 So, can you walk us through the whole story of this dispute,
01:21 beginning from the employment agency Aspertake coming to the city and said that Hong Kong employers have to pay extra,
01:28 to the latest meeting, the acting council general with the secretary for labour and welfare, Chris Sun,
01:36 and the council general said no change to the cost structure of fee.
01:40 So, can you also elaborate on that?
01:42 Yes. So, there was a meeting between the representative of the Hong Kong and Indonesian employment agency here in Hong Kong.
01:50 And the meeting was purely to discuss about the business-to-business relation, as I mentioned before,
01:56 and both governments did not participate on the meeting.
02:01 And then, later on, the associations, the Aspertake, they request a meeting with the labour department of Hong Kong.
02:08 And then, before the meeting, the labour department of Hong Kong already coordinated with our consulate,
02:14 and we say that that meeting is not in coordination with our consulate,
02:20 and the association, the Aspertake, is not representing nor in coordination with the Indonesian government.
02:28 And later on, after the meeting between the labour department and the Aspertake,
02:34 the association, the Aspertake, they conduct a press briefing, elaborating their views, their aspirations,
02:42 on the whole process of placement of Indonesian domestic helpers here in Hong Kong.
02:47 And what has been stated by the association, by Aspertake, is not representing the Indonesian government position,
02:55 and it's also not in coordination with the Indonesian government system.
03:00 And I would like to take this opportunity to also share with the Hong Kong public,
03:04 that Aspertake is not the only Indonesian employment agency.
03:10 They're just one of many Indonesian employment agencies.
03:13 So, their views, their statements, are not representing the whole system,
03:19 it's not representing the government position or other Indonesian employment agencies,
03:25 with regard to the placement of Indonesian domestic helpers here in Hong Kong.
03:29 And I think we settled the issues during the meeting between the Secretary of Labour and Welfare
03:36 and with our acting consul general on August 10,
03:39 we clarified the issues that at the moment, both governments' policy and regulations
03:45 with regard to the placement of Indonesian domestic helpers in Hong Kong are consistent and it remains the same.
03:52 Serial placement fee policy has been enforced in Indonesia since 2020 and revised last year.
03:59 So, in hindsight, why are Hong Kong employers and agencies only made aware of this amendment at this moment?
04:07 Yes, for your information, our consulate, representing the Indonesian government,
04:13 we always have a regular meeting with the representative of Hong Kong employment agency here in Hong Kong.
04:19 So, we have an annual meeting where we took that opportunity to inform them,
04:24 to update them with every development of regulations, laws, procedure, policy,
04:31 even with the latest issues that have been developed in Indonesia.
04:35 So, I think here it's not the issues of awareness, but it's much more on the interpretations.
04:42 Because nothing has changed since 2020, until now, the practice remains the same.
04:48 The mechanism remains the same and the laws, regulations, procedure, policy are in place.
04:55 So, I think it's just much more of a reactive response from Hong Kong public,
05:02 from Hong Kong employers with the speculative statement made by the association, made by the Aspataki.
05:09 So, I believe here it's not the issue of awareness, but it's just much more of a response from speculative news.
05:17 The dispute has actually got both Hong Kong and Indonesian agencies involved in more sort of like a fight.
05:25 So, what would the Indonesian consulate suggest to strengthen the monitoring and the management of the agency on both sides?
05:34 Well, I do believe that the system, the laws and regulations, and also the mechanism are sufficient.
05:41 It's already in place and enforced.
05:43 Nevertheless, of course, challenges will always remain.
05:46 And it's the duty of both governments to make sure that we can catch up with every challenge,
05:52 with every dynamic that rises at the moment.
05:56 And I think with the new pace, with the new dynamic, especially post-pandemic,
06:03 I think, and both governments agree that we need to recalibrate once again.
06:08 We need to sit down to monitor, to evaluate the whole process
06:13 and see if we can maximize, we can progress all the modalities that we have right now into a better place.
06:22 Thank you so much, Mr. Clemens. That clears so much of the mist.
06:27 And thank you for joining us today.
06:30 Happy to.
06:30 Thank you.
06:32 Thank you.
06:33 [END]