Labor export becomes favored alternative

JAKARTA (JP): The government regards labor export as a favored alternative to help ease rising unemployment in the country, Minister of Manpower Fahmi Idris said yesterday.

According to Fahmi, the government will continue sending workers overseas to help solve the unemployment problem in the country which has been compounded by the economic crisis.

Unemployment is now said to have reached 15.4 million.

"We hope we can take advantage of job opportunities available overseas," said the minister during the swearing-in ceremony of two new expert staff at the Ministry of Manpower.

The minister swore in Jack Iskandarsyah Ratubagus, former director general of labor placement, and Fachri Taharuddin, former chief of the West Sumatra provincial manpower ministry office, as expert staff on labor placement affairs.

Fahmi expressed hope that the two officials would help to improve the labor export system.

He revealed that Indonesia still faced difficulties in boosting labor exports because most of the workers sent overseas were unskilled. Furthermore, workers often lacked sufficient legal protection when working abroad, he added.

"Our workers are in need of legal protection and they should also be covered by insurance, both at home and overseas," he said.

The minister issued a decree last month allowing all commercial insurance firms to cover workers sent overseas.

The minister added that labor exports should be accelerated to increase the government's earnings from the sector.

Indonesia sent 1.11 million workers overseas from the beginning of 1994 and March this year, and gained US$3.1 billion in revenue. (rms)