Training for export workers

BANDUNG: The West Java office of the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration plans to hold a training course to improve the skills of Indonesians hoping to work abroad, the head of the office, Sukarto Karnen, said on Saturday.

"The unemployment rate in the province is very high, with some 1.5 million unemployed in 2000. Of this number, one million are elementary school graduates," he said.

Sukarto said that with such low levels of education, it would be impossible for most of these people to find work abroad.

"The Association of Labor Exporting Companies must be responsible for their fate once the workers are sent abroad. They have to protect them from possible scams or abuses," Sukarto said.

The course will include training in foreign languages and technical skills, as well as cultural guidelines. (25/edt)