15,000 workers sent abroad uninsured

15,000 workers sent abroad uninsured

JAKARTA (JP): A labor observer questioned the fate of at least
15,000 workers who have been sent abroad over the past month
without insurance coverage.

Halomoan Hutapea said the exodus of uninsured workers followed
the government's decision to suspend temporarily the operation of
nine insurance consortia appointed to provide insurance
protection for workers overseas.

"They will be facing a tragic fate if they quit their job, are
rejected by their prospective employers or dismissed by their
employers," he said in a press conference here yesterday.

The instruction for the temporary suspension which was issued
by Director General for Labor Placement Din Syamsuddin has yet to
be revoked, he said. Consequently, the number of workers who were
sent without insurance protection will double by the end of this
month.

Din issued the instruction following the absence of the
consortia's representatives abroad as required by the 1996
ministerial decree to provide legal and insurance protection for
troubled workers. Thousands of workers are still being stranded
in Indonesian Embassies and consulates in Middle East countries
after developing troubles with their employers.

He blamed the government for troubles many Indonesian workers
were facing abroad, saying the government was not professional in
tackling the labor export sector.

Halomoan called on the House of Representatives to closely
monitor the labor export and make a better law to develop labor
export since it was a strategic sector to help cope with the high
unemployment.

Abdullah Umar, chairman of the Association of Indonesian Labor
Supplying Companies (Apjati) said labor export companies would
decline to provide legal protection and pay insurance claims for
troubled workers abroad because according to the ministerial
decree, troubled workers were handled by the insurance consortia.

"It is not our business. Ours is to send workers while the
legal protection and insurance program should be handled by the
consortia and the government," he said.

Binsar H. Sitohang, the consortia's coordinator, criticized
Din's instruction as unpopular, saying the government should be
responsible for troubles and disputes the 15,000 workers will be
facing.

"We will be responsible for workers having paid their
insurance premiums to 26 insurance companies grouped in the nine
consortia," he said.

He conceded that the 26 insurance companies failed to have
branch offices overseas but said the instruction could have a
negative impact for workers.

"It is the director general's authority to impose harsh
sanctions but he should not issue such an instruction that could
effect our workers," he said.

He said the consortia have agreed to establish their joint
branches in all countries where Indonesian workers were employed.

According to the ministerial decree, workers participating in
the insurance program are obliged to pay between Rp 120,000 and
Rp 160,000 each during their three-year employment overseas.
Consortia are required to provide legal protection for troubled
workers, buy tickets and provide severance pay to laid-off
workers and pay Rp 10 million in compensation for those who die
during their employment.

For efficiency, the joint branches will give one-roof service
for troubled workers, he said.

Din was not available for comments on Saturday. (rms)