Update | Indonesia to look into recruitment agencies in light of Erwiana case
Group which recruited Erwiana may lose licence as consulate moves to reassure domestic helpers
Indonesia's top diplomatic representative in Hong Kong said the consulate is exploring ways to better protect the safety of domestic workers in the city, and is reviewing whether recruitment agencies here have complied with its regulations.
The country's consul general in Hong Kong, Chalief Akbar, told the yesterday that the consulate already has many policies in place to ensure the safety of the 150,000 Indonesian domestic workers in the city .
"We have regular meetings with the Hong Kong employment agencies," Akbar said.
"The number of agencies registered with the consulate is 237. We will review the agencies [to see] whether they comply with the regulations and the criteria set out by the consulate."
On top of the 237 licensed agencies, hundreds of others have been bringing in Indonesian workers without approval from the consulate, according to Teresa Liu Tsui-lan, vice-chairwoman of the General Chamber of Manpower Agencies.
The consulate will look into the claim, Akbar said.
Liu said the consulate requires agencies to provide a boarding house for workers seeking refuge from employer abuse.
