The President pleads for more jobs in Indonesia in order to reduce its number of migrant workers
President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono has urged regional leaders to create more job opportunities to
reduce the number of informal Indonesian migrant workers.
"Let us create jobs at home to accommodate migrant workers," President
Yudhoyono said in his remarks during the launching of a Smallholder`s
Business Credit (KUR) program for Indonesian migrant workers (TKI) here
Wednesday.
The head of state said the government, however, could not stop its people choosing jobs and locations they want to.
"If we don`t want to see many of brothers work overseas, we must create
job opportunities in our regions. If they want to work in Malaysia, the
United Arab Emirates, it`s their right of choosing their profession.
The important thing is that we have to protect them, give them
facilities, defend their rights and find a solution if they are in
trouble," the president said.
At least four million Indonesians are currently working overseas and 0.1 percent of them was facing problems, he said.
"However, we must not underestimate it although it`s just 0.1 percent.
It should be handled properly. Ambassadors and consul generals must be
responsible for TKI in the countries of their jurisdiction. I don`t like
ambassadors who don`t know much (about TKI)," he said.
The head of state also instructed mayors and district heads to make sure
that TKI get appropriate and adequate trainings before being sent
overseas.
He also asked the regional leaders to check facilities and training standards of migrant workers suppliers in their regions.
"If the supplier companies are professional, there will be less problems
to arise. Their services must be improved, because they don`t sent
goods, but human beings who have heart, so there must be no negligence,"
he said.
The KUR program providing credits up to Rp20 million per TKI, is aimed
at help TKI in financing costs incurred during their overseas placement
process.
Source : http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/1292407724/president-jobs-must-be-created-for-informal-migrant-workers
