Kuala Lumpur – The Indonesian government's bans on sending migrant workers to Malaysia will remain in force after both countries failed to agree on a minimum wage.

Speaking after bilateral talks with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono today, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak told reporters in Putrajaya, near Kuala Lumpur, that the two leaders agreed in principle for Indonesian maids to be granted one day off a week, but did not conclude a minimum wage.

Indonesia has been negotiating memorandums of understanding on the treatment of migrant workers with both Malaysia and Kuwait.

Last June, migrant workers were banned from travelling to Malaysia following reports that some workers were being abused and were not being paid. Three months later, a similar ban was applied on migrant workers traveling to Kuwait following similar reports. Most Indonesian migrant workers are maids, construction workers and plantation workers.

There are currently 4.3 million Indonesians working in 42 countries, according to the National Board for the Placement and Protection of Indonesian Overseas Workers (BNP2TKI).

That figure, however, does not include an estimated 2-4 million Indonesians working abroad illegally. (JG/Bloomberg)