Language barrier

Bahasa Indonesia serves a unique position in this nation's history. Not only does it function as a medium of communication, but it has also became a unifier of the nation.

The language has been the bridge in uniting the many ethnic groups, which have their own unique local language. By virtue of the sheer size of Indonesia's population, Bahasa Indonesia is one of the top five most spoken languages in the world.

Hence, it is such a shame that a language, which served as a catalyst for unity, would be used to discriminate.

That will happen if the government persists in setting strict language prerequisites on foreigners employed in Indonesia.

Minister of Manpower Fahmi Idris has apparently followed a plan, initially introduced some two years ago, to require Bahasa Indonesia proficiency tests for expatriates working here.

The minister said the tests would be designed to reduce the number of foreign workers in the country.

Fahmi is apparently afraid that Indonesian citizens will lose out in the job market as the country, based on regional and global trade arrangements, begins opening its doors to foreign job seekers next year.

An understanding of local customs and culture, including its language, is always preferable when anyone seeks employment in a foreign country. The willingness of newcomers to learn such things, not only shows respect toward the people of the host nation, but will ultimately facilitate the transition and work of that person on a daily basis.

But to introduce formal language requirements as a condition to obtaining a work permit is an unnecessary, not to mention unfair, condition.

Employment should be based on one's own skill and merit. If a language requirement is so crucial that it does require a higher degree of proficiency in Bahasa Indonesia, then those unable to speak the language will automatically be filtered out.

Technical competence related to the field in question should the be the single biggest consideration.

We believe that expats with a professional aptitude and those that truly want to work in this country will, by their own volition, seek to learn more about the prevailing norms and customs, including the language. To do otherwise would only be detrimental to his/her career here.

The government's plan only reveals a lack of self-confidence and shows its perceptions about the poor standard of our workforce.

The objective should not be protectionism, but instead to engage in policies that would lift the quality of Indonesia's workforce -- through education and training.

If we as a nation are only qualified as street sweepers, then maybe that is what we should ultimately become. To blame others who are more qualified to take jobs that most Indonesians could not do anyway is petty.

It is our own fault that we have not, and still are not, investing enough in education.

India is one developing country in which such an investment must be lauded and emulated for consistently investing in that sector despite the economic challenges.

There is nothing to be afraid of. With the right attitude and determination, the climate of free competition will only make the nation better.

Indonesia -- along with the likes of India and the Philippines -- is a country that can actually benefit from the loosening of restrictions on foreign employment. There are perhaps 10 times more Indonesians working abroad than the some 130,000 expatriate workers here.

What would happen, for example, if Indonesian migrant workers going to the Middle East or Hong Kong were required to take a language proficiency test in Arabic or Mandarin before being granted a work permit?

It would not be an exaggeration to predict that almost all would fail.

Since the government is seeking to boost the number of migrant workers sent abroad, Jakarta should thus act with equal reciprocity.

There are other means, many already in place, to control the number of expatriates working in this country. Already expatriates here pay much higher taxes than locals. When a company requires the services of a capable foreigner, local companies already have to justify their reasons for hiring an expatriate.

Although Minister Fahmi Idris claims that the government is not trying to discriminate, but this action belies his sincerity and instead reveals an overly xenophobic outlook.