Minimum wages set for workers abroad<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government has set the minimum monthly wage
\nfor Indonesians working in the formal sectors overseas at US$400
\n(approximately Rp 850,000).<\/p>\n
The monthly minimum wage for unskilled workers such as
\ndomestic helps, has been set at US$250 .<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Manpower, in cooperation with the Association
\nof Manpower Suppliers, established the new minimum wage levels to
\nimprove worker welfare.<\/p>\n
Minister Abdul Latief said here yesterday that Indonesia's
\nskilled workers deserve higher wages due to the advantages they
\nhave over workers from other countries.<\/p>\n
"They have work ethics and they are disciplined, persistent,
\nfriendly, honest, patient and committed to their duties," he said
\nin the opening ceremony of a management training program for
\nmembers of the association.<\/p>\n
Latief also warned worker-export companies against trading or
\nswapping licenses with unauthorized labor exporters. He
\nthreatened stiff punishment for any company guilty of violating
\nlabor export regulations.<\/p>\n
"You must never sell your licenses or collude with
\nunauthorized companies and brokers to supply workers abroad," he
\ntold the association members.<\/p>\n
The ten-day training program will last through May 12 and is
\nbeing held by the Trade and Management Development Institute
\n(TMDI).<\/p>\n
The minister told the manpower suppliers to learn from past
\nexperiences when the government had to revoke the licenses of
\nvarious delinquent companies.<\/p>\n
He lashed out at several certified labor-export companies,
\nwhich, he accused, allowed unauthorized companies to use their
\nnames to send workers overseas.<\/p>\n
"The ministry will immediately issue the final warning and
\nmete out administrative punishment," he threatened.<\/p>\n
Labor-export companies play a great role in helping the
\ngovernment deal with the increasing unemployment rate, Latief
\nsaid, adding that they are also important foreign exchange
\nearners. As a result, the government is committed to creating
\nfavorable conditions for them, he said.<\/p>\n
He promised a number of facilities for labor-export managers,
\nincluding an expansion of their market to other countries and
\ntraining programs for their workers.<\/p>\n
Among the first steps that the ministry plans to take is a
\nmarket research study of prospective markets in Hong Kong,
\nTaiwan, the United States, Canada and European countries, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He reminded the labor exporters that their businesses now face
\nstiff competition from other Asian countries such as the
\nPhilippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and China. These
\ncountries are known for their aggressive expansion into the labor
\nmarkets of many countries.<\/p>\n
"This condition calls for better preparation and better
\nquality workers, which is why we have to develop suitable
\ntraining programs for our workers, " he said.<\/p>\n
Latief also called on labor exporters to prevent unfair
\ncompetition and a "rates war" among themselves.<\/p>\n
Every company must comply with the common agreement on
\nrecruitment fees and monthly minimum wages, he said. (rms)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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