Most RI sailors not up to scratch

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