RI-MALAYSIAN RELATIONS ON MIGRANT WORKERS IMPROVING

Surabaya, Nov 17 (ANTARA) - The relations between the Indonesian and Malaysian governments on the problem of Indonesian migrant workers have improved.

"There is some improvement in RI-Malaysian government relations with regard to migrant workers," Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Muhaimin Iskandar said here Tuesday.

Recently, the minister held a meeting with the Malaysian Home Affairs and Human Resources Ministers.

"There are some things that we have discussed in the meeting," he said after seeing off 450 migrants leaving for Gorontalo and Central Sulawesi at Tanjung Perak port in Surabaya.

Among the few things agreed upon in the meeting the workers one day off and allowing them to keep their passports, no longer their employers.

Besides, the Malaysian government will also form a special task force in charge of controlling and monitoring rough treatment of migrant workers.

According to the minister, an employer found guilty of rough treatment of a migrant worker, she or he will be dealt with firmly by the special task force of the Malaysian government.

"We are very grateful to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for his meeting with the Malaysian Prime Minister some time ago," said Muhaimin.

The second head of state's meeting was followed by Muhaimin's meeting with Malaysian Minister of Home Affairs and the Minister of Human Resources.

"Both of them are old friends of mine," Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB)said.

The two neighboring countries' relations had been disrupted following several issues regarding migrant workers, ranging from torture cases to deportation.