The percentage of
Indonesian Migrant Workers [TKI] in the construction sector in various infra
structure projects abroad, especially skilled workers and experts kept increasing.
The proportion of skilled and unskilled labor was 40 : 60. Although skilled
labor was still below 50%, the number tend to increase year after year. “The
ratio of expert: skilled labor: unskilled labor was 10:30:60 which was the
structure of project employment in General. “Head of the Development Center,
Investment Resources [PPS-DI] Ministry of Public Works [PU] Mochammad Natsir
stated to Business News [4/3].
The Ministry of Public Works [PU] felt the need for
development nurturing skilled labor toward AEC next year, so the Ministry of PU
would also promote investment resources. The construction sector for infra
structure projects involved many institutions in the Ministry. PPSDI
encompassed development of institutional business, organizing, investment
resources which ran supply chain, investment platform, market, and
competitiveness. “We now even operate competence building sector and
construction training with Malaysia. We have jut signed MoU last January,” Moh.
Natsir said.
The Ministry of PU was optimistic about TKI competence toward
AEC 2015. The optimism was not an exaggeration, considering the role of
Indonesian contractor companies in Asean. Besides the national private companies
and BUMN kept expanding and undertake various construction tasks. “We are doing
well in Asean, the Middle East. We undertake many projects there. Our handicap
is one: company and capital access. Our construction cost is relatively more
expensive compared to that of Asean countries”
The Government had set up the Indonesian Export Financing
Body [LPEI] and Exim Bank. The credit interest had been downsized to one digit
but still more expensive compared to other countries. LPEI could facilitate
credit for national or foreign contractors. For foreign investors, the prerequitment
was the project undertaken must use local resources. If the project undertaken
by foreign products was dedicated to Indonesia credit could be extended by Exim
Bank or LPEI. Project which were export oriented could also have access to LPEI
and Exim Bank.
Some Indonesian contractors’ offering were uncompetitive
in terms of price. But in terms of Human Resources, skilled or unskilled,
Indonesia was better. Indonesian contractors were able to finish construction
projects faster than foreign contractors, while the quality of end result was
also good. “We can finish one floor of building construction in one day, so we
are getting more reputable in Dubai, Algeria, and Saudi Arabia because our
personnel are competitive.”
Over the past 10-15 years Indonesian contractors had been
winning projects in the Middle East. Wika Waskita contractor company was
undertaking 2 huge projects in Saudi Arabia. i.e. Financial Center and King
Saudi University in Ryadh. The number of workers employed in each project could
be between 200 – 300 workers; they were skilled labor and expert staff. “All
are skilled for all level of tasks, non are unskilled. But it has nothing to do
with the Zero Housemaid plan by the Ministry of manpower. We are focusing on
development of investment resources and construction.”
Indonesian contractors once had to undertake the tower
construction project before the Burj Khalifa Dubai. Besides also the Monorail
project in Algeria carried out by WIKA. Wika’s success was also in tandem with
operations of asphalt and concrete in this oil rich state. So far TKI
employment had been concentrated in Algeria. Some years ago during high season,
the number of TKI employed came to 1,400 workers. “We are optimistic. But in
countries like Iraq we are still waiting for the right moment. Many potential
project were unexplored. We observe the security factor as war and terror are
not totally gone”
Meanwhile the 41st IFAWPCA (International
Federation of Asian and Western Pacific Contractors) Sudarto saw the need of
meeting demand for infra structure building. Infra structure growth did not
only affect economic growth but also social life. Various models of financing
had been exercised to promote infra structure building. Investment could be
done by state owned companies or regional companies and also the private
sector. One of the platforms adopted was joint operation for infra structure
asset. The payment scheme would be carried out by private investors in
collaboration with operators. “This could be applicable through long term
agreement or other models of public private partnership” Sudarto disclosed to
Business News [3/3]. (SS)
Business New - March 7, 2014
No comments:
Post a Comment