The Association of Indonesian Businesspeople [Apindo]
urged the Government of RI to prepare for the Asean Economic Community 2015,
particularly the Mutual Agreement Recognition [MRAI. So far the MRA format
among Asean countries had not been in the domain of schools. "Technically
MRA standardization of competence should be the same at Asean level. In
schools, MRA should regulate vocational schools," Iftida Yasar, Deputy
Secretary General of Apindo disclosed to Business News [17/4].
MEA applied the free flow of human resources/people for
12 sectors in the free market. The categorization : 5 service sectors and 7
trading and industrial sectors. The five service sectors included air service,
e-ASEAN, health service, tourism and logistics. The seven sectors included:
trading and industry of agro-based products, electronics, fishery, rubber/wood-based
products, textile and automotives. Eight professions included: engineers,
nurses, architects, surveyors, tourism, medical practitioners, dentists and
accountants. The eight fields had adopted the MRA format, i.e. certification of
competence within the multilateral agreement context. "In case of English
as international language, the problem is perhaps only at home. But
technically, without commonly agreed standard of competence, any worker could
enter, which would trouble local workers. We cannot prohibit workers from
Singapore or the Philippines to work here; but once MRA was in effect, technically
the standard should be the same, we can promote competence of our
personnel."
MRA was the standard of competence that posed a risk to
Indonesian workers, for example AC technicians, car and motorcar mechanics,
etc. The condition in Indonesia was still below expectation, because most
vocational schools ISMKI were dominated by office administration. And yet the
local industry was in need of workers with technical skill like motorcar or AC
mechanics. "How many companies need administration workers Very few. What
we need are mechanics. Apindo was also expecting the Government, especially the
Ministry of Education, to know the real need in the labor market."
Apindo also saw the need for more vocational schools in
agriculture, fish cultivation etc. Indonesia's trade structure showed that
import of horticulture products kept increasing. The total import of
horticulture products had come to trillions of Rupiah. Indonesia must learn
from Thailand. “They applied the one village, one product concept. Meaning one
village for one type of product. Village A specializing in plantation, and chili
plantation. Village B for potatoes and so forth”.
Other problems related to MEA 2015 preparation was:
Indonesia's workforce was still dominated by low skill labor, which were among
others: drivers, cleaning service, stone-breakers etc, Indonesia was also the
biggest sender of low skilled workers abroad. Their level of high skill abroad
was still below ideal level. “We have to compete against low skill labor from
Bangla Desh. Our workers in Malaysia were now branded as hard-headed, more
expensive compared to those from Bangladesh”
High skill labor for domestic need at home in Indonesia
was also a threat. Now workers from the Philippines were beginning to storm
Indonesia especially accountants, many companies were turning to Filipino
workers. They mostly did not demand privileges like high salary. This was in
reverse to TKI attitude. “In Indonesia, they demand rights. The working ethos
of Philippine workers were also better than Indonesian workers. Apindo kept
urging all related parties to be concerned about the matter. Abroad, our low
skill workers are edged aside by Bangla Desh workers, at home edged aside by
Filipino workers”.
Meanwhile Chairman of the National Executive IDPNI of
Apindo Soebronto Laras also saw the same thing. A clear example was Indonesian
Migrant Workers [TKI] who impersonated workers from the Philippines. An
anecdote had it that a TKI who was learning English was promoted to higher rank:
“Our TKI could not speak English, but was trying hard to learn. Armed with some
English, they no longer identify themselves as Indonesian. They would say “I'm
from the Philippines” Cases as such was already happening in many countries”,
Soebronto told Business-News.
The above anecdote proved that a good command of English
was part of the criteria of competence Besides, some countries which were
previously closed, were now beginning to adopt open door economic system. The
clearest example was Myanmar. Industry and manufacturing in Myanmar was developing
fast. Even they close 'relatives' like Laos and Cambodia were influenced by
Myanmar's progress. The three countries: Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia were also
benefiting from the impact of China's economic progress. “We must see Myanmar
as a competitor. Competence of their workers and economic stimulus keep
progressing”.
The year 2014 was a year full of challenges for the
businessworld. Apindo continued to consolidate, especially after the increase
of Regional Minimum Wages [UMR]. Worker's demonstrations was unblockable in
2012. Economic growth was reduced drastically. In 2013, the gloom in industrial
relationship seemed to narrow room for social dialogue. Worker's
demonstrations and factory invasion to refuse delay of wages increase were
haunting specter to businesspeople. Although finally by end of 2013 the
situation turned favorable, it did not last long. President SBY issued
Presidential Instruction Impress No.9/2013 followed by Regulation of the
Ministry of Labor No 7/2013. "but the condition did not turn any better,
because Rupiah was depreciated to USD 12,000 against USD."
Projecting the economic development trend 2015, Apindo
continued to review various Government Policy. Businesspeople were expecting
there would be a point of agreement with workers by Government facilitation.
The tripartite agreement was still rated as effective; but academicians, avocation
practitioners of industrial relationship were expected to come up with empiric
data of the condition afield. “A good format of industrial relationship in the
future is our expectation. This refers to the message of the Law for
harmonious, dynamic and just industrial relationship”. (SS)
Business New - April 23, 2014
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