RI looks for new export markets for its workers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is hopeful it can expand its markets
\nbeyond the traditional Middle East and Asian countries to export
\nits workers to, a government official says.<\/p>\n
Suramsihono, president of the newly incorporated PT Binajasa
\nAbadikarya, told reporters yesterday that his company plans to
\nexplore the potentials of even more distant markets.<\/p>\n
"We will extend our market to advanced countries and other
\ndeveloping countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America,"
\nSuramsihono said in announcing the launching of the operation of
\nthe company, known in short as PT Bijak, beginning on Aug. 1.<\/p>\n
The company was established by Minister of Manpower Abdul
\nLatief to bring to order the business of sending Indonesian
\nworkers overseas, a lucrative business but a highly disordered
\none.<\/p>\n
One of the first priorities is to conduct a survey on
\npotential markets abroad, Suramsihono said. We want to know
\nfirst which countries are our potential markets and what kind of
\nskills are they looking for."<\/p>\n
The company will also take the lead in the government's drive
\nto phase out the sending of unskilled workers and replace them
\nwith people who have skills needed in the countries of
\ndestination, he said.<\/p>\n
PT Bijak is incorporated as a subsidiary of PT Astek, the
\nworkers insurance company which is also administered by the
\nMinistry of Manpower.<\/p>\n
Another task of the company is to professionalize the manpower
\nsupplier companies, which have been the target of criticisms and
\naccused of leaving Indonesian workers stranded abroad and causing
\nmisery.<\/p>\n
Suramsihono said his company has fulfilled all administrative,
\nfinancial and organizational requirements needed to start its
\noperation as of Aug. 1.<\/p>\n
Rp 12.5 billion<\/p>\n
With an initial capital of Rp 12.5 billion ($5.9 million), the
\ncompany plans to introduce vocational training schemes for
\nIndonesian workers and also provide facilities to train
\ninstructors for private manpower supplier companies.<\/p>\n
Bijak has been authorized to utilize not only training centers
\nthat are the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Manpower but also
\nthose managed by the ministries of education and culture,
\nindustry, and trade.<\/p>\n
Coinciding with the launching of Bijak's operation, a
\ngovernment ruling also comes into effect on Aug. 1 that compels
\nall manpower supplier companies to have a minimum paid up capital
\nof Rp 375 million each. Every company must also deposit Rp 75
\nmillion with a state bank as a bond to be used to bail out
\nworkers who are stranded abroad.<\/p>\n
So far, out of an original 300 manpower supplier firms
\nregistered with the government, only 70 have complied with the
\nnew regulation.<\/p>\n
Suramsihono believes that the government's target of sending
\n1.25 million workers in the next five years is feasible.<\/p>\n
This works out to 250,000 a year, and given 100 manpower
\nsupplier firms, each is expected to send around 200 workers a
\nmonth, he said. (rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-looks-for-new-export-markets-for-its-workers-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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