Jakarta is to continue allowing Indonesian domestic helpers to work overseas if there is a need for them, and if working conditions in foreign nations have improved, an Indonesian labor official said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jakarta last year said that it would prevent Indonesians from working abroad as domestic helpers as of this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, during an interview with reporters, National Agency for the Protection and Placement of Indonesian Migrant Workers director Soes Hindarno said that if nations have a great need for Indonesian migrant workers and if there is a shortage of job opportunities in Indonesia, Jakarta would impose \u201ca soft policy,\u201d meaning that it would continue to allow domestic helpers to work abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Separately, agency deputy director Agusdin Subiantoro said that Jakarta is planning to raise the issue of increasing monthly wages for its domestic workers in Taiwan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Indonesian domestic caregivers in Taiwan earn an average of NT$17,000 per month, while migrant factory workers are paid about NT$21,009 in line the monthly minimum wage, which this year was increased from the previous NT$20,008, Agusdin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jakarta is seeking to narrow that gap, and plans to ask Taipei to raise the monthly wage for Indonesian home helpers and domestic caregivers to NT$19,000, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Indonesian officials would raise the issue later this year during a meeting with Taiwanese officials and Jakarta would adopt a firm stance, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the Ministry of Labor, as of last year Indonesia was the largest source of migrant workers in Taiwan, accounting for 245,180 of the total of 624,768.<\/p>\n\n\n\n