Worker training center opens in Batam

BATAM, Riau: President Megawati Soekarnoputri inaugurated on Friday a training center for Indonesian migrant workers, which is aimed at enhancing the skills of employees bound for Singapore.

Called the Batam International Training Center (BITC), it will also help the government control the illegal deployment of migrant workers.

Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea said the center would serve as an embarkation point for migrant workers from Surabaya, Manado, Tanjung Pinang and Jakarta.

Singapore is the top fifth receiving country of Indonesian migrant workers, with 56,000 workers a year. -- JP