Why not hire our own people?
For me, it is something new to read a point of view such as that so publicly stated by Nirwan Idrus (The Jakarta Post, April 17, 2001: Not all expats are experts).
What is important and what we need to do at this stage is to improve our work force. Good work ethics and values must be reimplanted and improved. Why should we hire someone from abroad if we can provide the expertise?
The question is whether we can provide the personnel with the same work ethics and values so that everything can be accomplished as planned beforehand.
Just consider the cost (around US$2.4 billion per annum) we have to bear as the result of hiring expats and what about the end result?
Wouldn't it be better to hire our own people with equivalent qualifications so that the expense can be minimized. Meanwhile, however, we should also concentrate harder on finding the right expats for the jobs available. Given this, should we impose a kind of fit and proper test?
If the working conditions and facilities are significantly improved, it is probable that work ethics and values will improve significantly, also. Don't be too quick to blame the prevailing poor work ethics of our people. Why do they perform unsatisfactorily? What is it that really causes them to be like this?
Could it be the low salaries and poor fringe benefits, or mistreatment that they have received at the hands of their "big brothers" and "sisters"? If they were to receive the same "facilities" as the expats receive, would they still perform badly?
Definitely not. If they were "highly" paid and they perceive crystal-clearly where they are heading in their careers with all of the lavish facilities that will be received over the next few years, of course there is a great possibility that they will be afraid of losing their jobs. Accordingly, they will definitely do anything in order to realize their objectives.
At the other end of the scale, the expats really enjoy luxurious facilities and have all their basic needs fulfilled. Once they have reached this stage, no wonder, they can focus on their performance, resulting in high quality work.
But if they go back to their countries, will they still have access to the "high-class" facilities offered here? I doubt it. In their home countries, I am sure the competition will be much stiffer.
To conclude, it would be better for us not to discuss whether expats are experts or otherwise. Rather, it would better for us to consolidate and improve our image so that we are also in demand in our own country.
This isn't easy. Many of our so-called most able personnel are either studying or living abroad, and they refuse to return. They should actually come back and do something for this nation in order to apply what they have learned and achieved abroad.
AGUS SANTOSO
Tangerang, Banten