Theo to deregulate labor exports

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Manpower Theo L. Sambuaga said yesterday he was committed to deregulating the complicated procedures governing labor exports. These will include prohibiting the export of unskilled workers.

"Deregulation is needed in the labor-export sector because we have too many regulations that have often confused both workers and labor-export companies," he told journalists at his office yesterday.

Theo, a former member of House Commission I for information, defense and security, was appointed minister of manpower in March.

Theo said his ministry intended to provide a "one-stop" service to Indonesians wanting to seek work overseas with the paperwork required being handled, as much as possible, by one office.

"We will work hard to provide job seekers a better service, including passport, working visa, plane tickets, working contracts and recruitment fee," he said.

"The simplification of this procedure is expected to encourage job seekers not to pursue illegal means to work overseas," he said.

He said that the labor-export program had often been criticized, not because it was in principle unacceptable but mainly because many have pursued illegal means of going abroad to work.

All Indonesian workers working overseas should be covered under the social security program and by an insurance company, the minister stressed.

Theo warned that the government would take strict action against labor export companies found guilty of giving inhumane treatment to workers.

"There will be no more excuses for these companies. Companies which abandon workers at home and overseas and give poor service to workers will not be allowed to continue their businesses and their licenses will be revoked," he warned.

He said that labor-export firms should be held responsible for workers they send overseas, including hiring lawyers to act on behalf of troubled workers.

Theo also said that as of this year, Indonesia would no longer export unskilled workers in order to improve the quality of Indonesian workers competing in the foreign labor market. He added that this step would also help improve the country's image as it could be considered a pool of skilled workers.

"We have decided to stop exporting unskilled workers as of this year. We will expand our foreign market for skilled workers. It will be far better not only for workers themselves but also for the government."

He said that only 25 percent of around 800,000 Indonesians currently working overseas were unskilled.

He said that his ministry would optimally use all 150 training centers in provinces to train workers, including those to be sent overseas.

"Besides, labor export companies are obliged to have their own, or joint, training centers and the government will closely monitor the training of workers before they are sent," he said. (rms)