Indonesian workers, whether interns or employees abroad, are favored because of their politeness and strong work ethic,
Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA) - The Manpower Ministry is exploring employment cooperation with several European countries, including Germany and Austria, to open opportunities for both migrant workers and interns.

"We already have well-established cooperation with Japan and South Korea. Now, we are exploring requests from Europe, specifically from Germany and Austria," Manpower Minister Yassierli said here on Thursday.

In response to these new opportunities, he urged the public to improve their skills, emphasizing that language remains a key challenge when working in European countries.

Currently, most Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) and interns are placed in Asian countries and Australia.

“Above all, language matters the most. We can prepare for other job aspects later, but language requires a longer process,” he said.

According to him, aside from job-specific training provided by the ministry, European companies already recognize the qualities of Indonesian workers, which help them adapt quickly.

"Indonesian workers, whether interns or employees abroad, are favored because of their politeness and strong work ethic," Yassierli noted.

He also reminded Indonesians interested in working overseas to embody the STAR values — Polite, Resilient, Adaptive, and Diligent — to ensure success abroad and a safe return home with valuable experience and skills.

The minister affirmed that providing job opportunities for all Indonesians is a government responsibility, as mandated by the Constitution. Therefore, overseas internships are among the government-supported programs.

For interns, the ministry has launched both overseas and domestic internship programs.

Domestic internships are open to 100,000 participants annually and include a six-month stipend.

This initiative aims to expand employment opportunities, enhance work skills, and strengthen the competitiveness of Indonesia’s workforce across various sectors.

Meanwhile, overseas internships last for three years without government incentives, but participants receive direct income from the foreign companies where they are placed.



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Translator: Ni Putu Putri Muliantari, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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