During a meeting here on Monday, the two also discussed the potential for expanding Indonesian workers’ access to the European region.
“So, I met with the Indonesian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Mr. Mayerfas, to discuss the potential for migrant workers to work in the Netherlands,” Minister Karding said in a press release issued by the ministry.
Currently, there are around 2 million Indonesian citizens in the Netherlands, and there are extensive job prospects that could be explored, he informed.
An aging society, where the size of the elderly population is larger than the young or productive population, has encouraged the Netherlands to seek out migrant workers, including from Indonesia, to meet the need for labor.
Working in the Netherlands could provide many benefits to the Indonesian people.
Therefore, Minister Karding discussed opportunities in the Netherlands and other European countries with the envoy to support the immediate absorption of Indonesian migrant workers.
“We have talked with the ambassador about several sectors that we can collaborate on for the placement of migrant workers, both in the health sector, hospitality, construction, plantations, and also high skill jobs such as IT,” he said.
“What’s interesting is that in the Netherlands, they are experiencing aging (society), and the salaries are high. The salaries can reach a minimum of Rp40 million to Rp80 million (US$2,448 to US$4,897), especially in construction, caregiving, and nursing jobs," he informed.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Mayerfas emphasized the importance of aligning Indonesia’s potential with its growing needs.
“We need to work to increase the entry of our migrant workers to the Netherlands, especially to Europe, given the vast potential in the region,” he said.
“We need to synchronize these potentials and opportunities so that all these potentials can be developed through opportunities that continue to grow in the region,” the ambassador added.
He informed that jobs such as care nurse for the elderly, clinic staff, ship crew, and restaurant staff are growing fast in the Netherlands.
“The minister also gave clear directions about who is categorized as an Indonesian worker, and it is important that they are registered and protected,” the ambassador said.
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Reporter: Katriana
Editor: Arie Novarina
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