Indonesia and Australia launch labor cooperation

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia and Australia agreed yesterday to boost cooperation in manpower development.

Visiting Australian Minister for Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs Amanda Vanstone and Indonesian Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief signed a Memorandum of Cooperation.

Under this agreement, the countries will increase staff exchanges, conduct joint projects in mining and tourism training, labor market programs and projects which encourage private sector involvement in manpower development.

"This document reflects the seriousness of the two countries to continue cooperation in manpower development," Abdul Latief said.

He said unemployment generated many other social problems, and the new co-operation would help reduce the adverse impacts of such problems.

Latief singled out a training program for middle businessmen as the most interesting feature of the cooperation. Under the scheme, Indonesian businessmen will be sent to study in Australia, or Australian trainers will be sent here.

The two countries had previously signed a similar memorandum of cooperation in April 1994.

Vanstone said cooperation was needed not only because the two countries were geographically close, but also because of objective economic development needs.

Umar Juworo of the Center for Information and Development Studies said Indonesia needed to learn from Australia's success in managing manpower issues.

He pointed out the need for cooperation at a non-government level. "There shouldn't be only government-to-government cooperation, but between training institutions in the two countries as well," Umar said. "That way, cooperation would be more effective. (05)