RI-Malaysia discuss workers' return

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sun, 02/15/2009 3:52 PM  

Indonesia and Malaysia are currently discussing the return of thousands of Indonesian laborers laid off due to Malaysia's protectionist policy as a result of the global economic downturn. 

"We've met with the General Secretary of the Malaysian Home Affairs Ministry Raja Azhar Raja Abdul Manap to discuss the return of thousands of Indonesian workers due to the current slowdown in Malaysia's economy," Indonesian deputy chief of mission Tatang B Razak told Antara in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. 

Malaysia's economy is deeply affected by the global economic slowdown as it is one of the region's largest exporting countries, he added. 

"Malaysia's exporting market is the U.S., Europe and other developed countries, so the global economic downturn has led to several factories being closed, worker layoffs and production decrease," Razak argued. 

According to Razak, 50,000 of a total of 90,000 Malaysians working in Singapore have also been laid off. 

"Malaysia is therefore sending home our workers so as to accommodate their returning citizens," he said. (amr)