Workers abroad

Workers abroad

From Merdeka

One of the businesses which is most often reported by newspapers is in the business of sending Indonesian workers, especially female workers, abroad for companies.

A total of four ministers of manpower over the last two decades have attempted to send only those workers who are highly qualified.

In reality, however, the job qualifications of those who have been sent abroad does not improve; the men only become qualified as drivers and the women as domestic helpers.

Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief said recently that five years from now, Indonesia will no longer send abroad workers whose qualification are as domestic helpers.

The United Arab Emirates, starting this month, has refused to allow unskilled foreign workers into the country. The oil-rich country demands that only those foreign experts with a minimum salary of Rp 3 million a month be allowed in.

Perhaps this country is not going to be the only country to adopt such a policy. We cannot rule out the possibility that other countries will also follow suit.

We have no choice but to quickly improve the skills of our workers who will be sent abroad, to stay in step with the increasing demand.

MOHAMAD DJALAL

Bekasi