Immigration centers planned to deter illegal workers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief says he is
\nconsidering the establishment of immigration centers along
\nIndonesian border points to help process Indonesians intending to
\nwork in Malaysia.<\/p>\n
These "center points" would provide fast services for workers
\nin obtaining their travel documents as well as the necessary work
\npermits, Latief told The Jakarta Post yesterday.<\/p>\n
He said these centers would be established in various places
\nin North Sumatra, Riau and East Kalimantan, three provinces which
\nhave been used as a transit points for Indonesian workers to
\nenter Malaysia illegally.<\/p>\n
They will be jointly administered by his ministry, the
\nMinistry of Transportation and the Directorate General of
\nImmigration.<\/p>\n
The proposal is the latest in the government's drive to clamp
\ndown on the illegal flow of Indonesian workers to Malaysia which
\nhas caused a major headache for the two governments.<\/p>\n
There are currently some 400,000 Indonesian workers registered
\nin Malaysia while estimates of the number of illegal workers
\nreach as high as one million Indonesians.<\/p>\n
"I would be content if we could cut down on the flow of
\nIndonesian illegal immigrants to Malaysia by up to 70 percent,"
\nLatief said.<\/p>\n
He conceded that the task of halting the illegal flux of
\nIndonesian workers to Malaysia was a difficult one given the
\nstill high rate of unemployment and under-employment in
\nIndonesia. "Besides, as long as the economic condition in
\nMalaysia is better, then the issue of Indonesian illegal workers
\nwill continue to be around us."<\/p>\n
The House of Representatives on Monday criticized the
\ngovernment for its poor handling of the illegal Indonesian
\nworkers in Malaysia and pointed out that many of these workers,
\nbecause of their status, have become easy prey for exploitation.<\/p>\n
The two countries have opted to regulate the flow of
\nIndonesian workers to Malaysia, whose booming economy still
\nrelies on the presence of the supply of cheap laborers, including
\nthose from Indonesia.<\/p>\n
On Monday, the issue was the topic of discussion between
\nLatief and visiting Malaysian Minister for Rural Development
\nAnnuar Musa.<\/p>\n
The two ministers agreed to better coordinate the flow of
\nIndonesian workers to Malaysia.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has appointed the state-owned PT Binajasa Abadi
\nKarya (PT Bijak) to coordinate with other manpower supplier
\ncompanies in supplying workers to Malaysia.<\/p>\n
In Malaysia, Global Access has been appointed as the company
\nto jointly manage the inflow of Indonesian workers. (rms).<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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