Labor export becomes favored alternative<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government regards labor export as a favored
\nalternative to help ease rising unemployment in the country,
\nMinister of Manpower Fahmi Idris said yesterday.<\/p>\n
According to Fahmi, the government will continue sending
\nworkers overseas to help solve the unemployment problem in the
\ncountry which has been compounded by the economic crisis.<\/p>\n
Unemployment is now said to have reached 15.4 million.<\/p>\n
\"We hope we can take advantage of job opportunities available
\noverseas,\" said the minister during the swearing-in ceremony of
\ntwo new expert staff at the Ministry of Manpower.<\/p>\n
The minister swore in Jack Iskandarsyah Ratubagus, former
\ndirector general of labor placement, and Fachri Taharuddin,
\nformer chief of the West Sumatra provincial manpower ministry
\noffice, as expert staff on labor placement affairs.<\/p>\n
Fahmi expressed hope that the two officials would help to
\nimprove the labor export system.<\/p>\n
He revealed that Indonesia still faced difficulties in
\nboosting labor exports because most of the workers sent overseas
\nwere unskilled. Furthermore, workers often lacked sufficient
\nlegal protection when working abroad, he added.<\/p>\n
\"Our workers are in need of legal protection and they should
\nalso be covered by insurance, both at home and overseas,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The minister issued a decree last month allowing all
\ncommercial insurance firms to cover workers sent overseas.<\/p>\n
The minister added that labor exports should be accelerated to
\nincrease the government's earnings from the sector.<\/p>\n
Indonesia sent 1.11 million workers overseas from the
\nbeginning of 1994 and March this year, and gained US$3.1 billion
\nin revenue. (rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/labor-export-becomes-favored-alternative-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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