Theo to deregulate labor exports

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)