Most RI sailors not up to scratch

JAKARTA: Only one fifth of 80,000 Indonesian sailors meet international standards, says one senior maritime expert.

Chairman of the Indonesian Sailors Association (KPI) Hanafi Rustandi said most of the country's sailors need to improve their skills, particularly their proficiency in the English language.

"Most of our sailors do not speak English, so they cannot compete on the international labor market," Hanafi said.

Hanafi added that, although Indonesian waters were full of ships from various countries, local sailors had no access to foreign companies because they did not take extra courses at reputable institutions in order to improve their skills.

He suggested that the government help local sailors increase their competitiveness by providing education and training.

Hanafi was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a ceremony to mark the handing over of a US$22,000 insurance claim payment to relatives of a KPI member, Ertanto Saputro, who died recently due to illness while on duty in Tanzania. -- Antara