RI to phase out 'export' of unfit workers

RI to phase out 'export' of unfit workers

JAKARTA (JP): The government is encouraging the "export" of
skilled workers, and phasing out the sending of untrained
laborers to boost Indonesia's image as a free country.

"We need...to safeguard our dignity as a nation," President
Soeharto said when opening a national coordination meeting on
export of manpower.

The President said that although labor export has undoubtedly
benefited both the workers, their families and the country, it
has also brought about various problems.

Unskilled workers, the President said, are often embroiled in
troubles that stem from their inability to defend their rights.

The group of 250 manpower suppliers, government officials,
diplomats and economic experts will discuss the legal protection,
insurance, labor export strategy, training and placement of
workers.

The three-day congress is expected to come out with
recommendations on how to make the export of labor Indonesia's
biggest sources of foreign exchange.

The government has projected that an estimated 2.5 million
people will be working overseas in the year 2000, contributing
about US$12.5 billion in foreign exchange a year.

Currently, about 800,000 Indonesians, mostly unskilled, work
legally overseas, notably in Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. Those
working illegally are believed to number several hundred
thousand.

Soeharto asked the participants to pay special attention to
the legal protection to Indonesian workers abroad. "We know that
not all countries have clear-cut rules on this issue."

The Ministry of Manpower should look into the possibility of
opening a representative office in countries where many
Indonesians are employed, to help make sure that their rights are
respected, the President suggested.

Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief said yesterday that
Indonesia meant to phase out the export of domestic maids. In the
future, only trained workers would be licensed to work abroad in
the industrial and service sectors, he said.

"The labor export strategy will be adjusted for higher
salaries and the diversification of the market," he said.

He said that Indonesia would expand its labor market from its
"traditional markets" -- Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan
and Middle Eastern countries -- to Europe, the United States,
Australia, Japan, South Korea and Africa.

Figures at the Manpower Ministry show that between April 1,
1993 and February 1996, Indonesia exported 284,000 workers. They
are expected to bring home US$900 million every year.

Critics have long demanded that the government stop exporting
unskilled workers that mostly ended up becoming maids or drivers.

There have been reports of cases of sexual and physical abuse
that the maids experience in Saudi Arabia.

Latief told labor suppliers not to treat workers like slaves.
He said the companies should pay attention to their well-being
and legal protection while they work abroad.

He stressed the need for proper vocational training for
workers to be sent abroad.

Manpower suppliers should have their own training centers and
they will have access to credit from state-owned banks to carry
out training programs.

Coordinating Minister for Production and Distribution Hartarto
said the Indonesian education system should be revamped to allow
people to obtain practical skills.

In addition, the private sector should play a bigger role in
the development of human resources, he added.

"All schools and universities should cooperate with the
private sector to produce skilled graduates. Skills are more
important than academic titles," he said. (rmspan)