Police asked to probe 23 labor exporters

Police asked to probe 23 labor exporters

JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Manpower has requested that the
National Police investigate 23 manpower supplier companies over
alleged irregularities in the way they send workers overseas.

Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief said he made the request
following strong indication of irregularities. "If these
allegations are confirmed, they will be prosecuted," Latief said
at his office yesterday.

He made the remark while granting new operating licenses to a
number manpower supply companies. They have complied with the
stricter terms the government introduced last year to bring the
lucrative, yet chaotic, business into line.

Latief declined to name the 23 companies that are now under
police investigation, but gave a run down of some of their
alleged sins: falsifying documents, extorting workers and
operating without proper license.

"Many of these companies falsified the identity and personal
details including the skills of the workers in order to bolster
the price. They will do anything to get as much profit as
possible."

Latief said he was dismayed that many manpower supplier
companies continue to export workers even though they no longer
have the necessary operating license.

He said an operation conducted by his office, the immigration
office and the police last month discovered at least 11
unlicensed companies which continued to send workers to Saudi
Arabia, Malaysia and Singapore without a license.

At the ceremony yesterday, Latief granted operating licenses
to 23 other manpower supplier companies, bringing the total
issued since December to 52.

Some 300 manpower supplier companies were ordered to re-
register last year after the Ministry of Manpower issued stricter
regulations, including higher paid up capital, and compelled
companies to set up training centers.

Latief said the ministry turned down applications from 20
companies which did not meet the terms set by the government.
"We've told them that they should try another business."

Latief said companies that have already obtained their
operating licenses would be closely monitored to ensure they
complied with the regulations.

"You are not exporting a commodity. You're sending people,
human resources. They should be treated humanely. You have a
responsibility to ensure that they are well protected," he told
the executives of the newly licensed companies. (rms)