'Be more selective in hiring foreigners'

'Be more selective in hiring foreigners'

JAKARTA (JP): Even though the number of expatriates employed
by companies in Greater Jakarta is falling, firms are urged to
remain selective in hiring foreign workers, an official at the
Jakarta office of the Manpower Ministry said yesterday.

"Companies must continue improving their selection so as to
prevent expatriates from doing jobs which can be done by local
workers," Freddy P. Tuamelly, head of the office, said.

Freddy was quoted by Antara as saying that the number of
expatriates working in Jakarta fell from 13,680 in the 1993/1994
fiscal year to 12,404 in 1994/1995, according to his office's
data.

"It is impossible to totally prohibit expatriates from working
here, but they should fill positions that local workers can't
handle yet," he said.

The presence of expatriates is still needed, especially to
help attract investment to Jakarta, he said. However, a company's
recruitment procedures must be in line with existing regulations
or the company will face a penalty, he warned.

Freddy said that his office will cooperate with related
institutions to intensify regulation of companies which employ
expatriates.

The increased scrutiny is intended to check the extent to
which employment procedures and regulations are being
implemented, he said.

He also urged companies operating in Greater Jakarta not to
employ foreigners on tourist visas.

"If they want to hire them, the tourists should be asked to
return to their home countries before their employment proposals
are submitted to the government," he said. (hhr)