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)