Chairman of BP2MI Benny Rhamdani Keeps Promise in Hong Kong to Handle the Placement Fee Exemption Matter for Hong Kong PMI
HONGKONG - The photo of the Chairman of Indonesian Migrant Placement and Protection Organization (BP2MI) of Indonesia, along with Rinardi, Sestama BP2MI in Hong Kong (11th August 2023) is widely viral.
Saiful, the Chairman of ASPATAKI, hopes that during his visit in Hong Kong, Benny Rhamdani not only meets with the Indonesian Migrant Worker (PMI)n but also the Hong Kong Labour Department and the Indonesian Consulate, as the main issue within PMI placement is the confusion regarding the implementation of placement fee exemption, stated Saiful.
As widely known on 2nd August 2023, ASPATAKI held a press conference in front of dozens of TV, print, and online media reporters, after informally visited the Hong Kong Labour Department. During those events, Saiful explained regarding the placement fee exemption policy for PMI working in Hong Kong.
"Absolutely all placement fee components are borned by the employers, including one-month agent fee for the Indonesian recruiting agent (P3MI)," Saiful exclaimed.
"PMI only pays for the competency training costs, and passport for experienced PMI. Which means employers are not required to pay the training costs and passport." continued Saiful.
However, one day after the press conference till today (11/8), the issue of placement fee exemption is still largely unsolved in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Labour Department stated that there is still no change in placement fee, after receiving the latest information from Indonesian Consulate spokesperson. "Consulate General officials state that the rules and regulations of both countries have remain unchanged, and relevent issues regarding PMI placement in Hong Kong must be continually be discussed between both Indonesian and Hong Kong government, as this issue will continue on if it goes unsolved," quoted from a local Hong Kong media.
The agreement of Hong Kong Labour Department during ASPATAKI's visit regarding the placement fee exemption had been revoked, and the ensuing result is that PMI has to pay for the fees; meanwhile waiting for the discussion of both governments, Saiful commented.
ASPATKI hopes that the BP2MI Chairman, during his visit to Hong Kong, meets with the Hong Kong Labour Department and the Indonesian Consulate, so that he himself can explain about the Placement Fee Exemption Policy, starting with Perban No. 9 Year 2020, Kepka No. 214 Year 2021, Kepka No. 260 Year 2022, and Kepka No. 256 Year 2023, as similarly explained by ASPATAKI on 2nd August 2023, explained Saiful.