Govt agrees to revamp new labor export body

Govt agrees to revamp new labor export body

JAKARTA (JP): Following fierce criticism, the government has
agreed to revamp the newly launched coordinating agency for labor
export (BPTKI) and allow the private sector to play a role in
labor exports.

Saleh Alwaini, deputy chairman of the Association of Labor
Export Companies (Apjati), said Minister of Manpower Fahmi Idris
had agreed on Saturday to revamp the agency and remove its
monopoly on providing all necessary documents for workers going
overseas to work.

"Apjati will be involved in reorganizing the agency and will
play a role in running it," Saleh said after briefing the
minister on the new agency in his office.

Both Apjati and the House of Representatives have criticized
the agency's establishment, accusing the government of trying to
take over the labor export business from the private sector.

Several labor export companies also threatened to dismiss
members of Apjati central executive board if they failed to
channel their aspirations to the government.

The agency, which should have started operating on Sept. 1,
provides a one-roof service for workers to get passports, visas,
work permits, plane tickets, insurance coverage and bank loans.

Many people have been forced to go to unauthorized labor
brokers, who smuggle them overseas, because of inadequate funds
for the necessary documents and bank loans.

Under the planned one-roof system, the only business dealing
left open to labor export companies would be recruitment, while
the more profitable business of taking care of documents would be
handled by the government-controlled agency.

Saleh said that Apjati supported the government's idea to
simplify procedures in procuring necessary documents by providing
such a service, but maintained that labor export companies had
more experience in the business. (rms)