"A large proportion of foreign exchange is contributed by about four million Indonesian workers in various Asian countries, such as Japan, South Korean, Thailand and China, and other countries in Europe," Agustin Subiantoro, a deputy at the Agency for Placement and Protection of Indonesian Workers Overseas (BNP2TKI), said here on Monday.
She said the large amount of remittances could help the state in improving the welfare of the Indonesian people through the development of infrastructure and other beneficial projects.
"Becoming a migrant worker is a choice, but if possible, it is better to work at home with dignity," she noted.
Agustin said the government could not prevent people from working overseas, but if workers chose to travel abroad, they should do so in accordance with the proper procedures.
"We are ready to provide accurate information for people intending to work abroad. We are also prepared to provide guidance and training," she added.
BNP2TKI is an agency that handles issues related to Indonesian migrant workers. It is answerable to the President.
"BNP2TKI also offers protection for workers, starting from their departure, during employment and after they return home," she added.
She noted that the agency provides skills training for workers, including for those working in factories and as house help, to ensure they do not face any problems in other countries.
In a separate development, the head of BNP2TKI Moh Jumhur Hidayat said in Jakarta that there is no official plan to lift a moratorium on sending workers to Saudi Arabia.
"I think there is no such plan," Jumhur said on Monday, commenting on petitions sent to the president and the manpower minister urging them not to lift the temporary suspension.
Activist Mustofa Hasyim from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia sent a petition to the manpower minister calling on him to scrap any plans to lift the moratorium.
"Cancel the plan (to lift the moratorium) before signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Saudi Arabia on the protection of rights of Indonesian migrant workers (TKI)," the petition noted.
Another petition was sent to the president by Thobibuddin Ahmad, saying, "Thousands of TKI are awaiting your arrival in Saudi Arabia."
The petition also noted that thousands of jobless Indonesian workers are turning into vagrants in Saudi Arabia.
"They are stranded and have been treated inhumanely. They need you to step in. Please come to Saudi Arabia and see for yourself. Please help speed up the exit permit process so that thousands of women and children can return home to Indonesia," Thobibuddin Ahmad wrote in a letter to the president.
He expressed concern over the suffering of the homeless taking a turn for the worse, since heavy rains have lashed the country recently and winter is coming.
Jumhur said the ministry of manpower would not lift the moratorium before a memorandum of understanding on the protection of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia is signed.
Earlier, migrant worker observer Syech Razie Ali Maula Dawilah pointed out that lifting the moratorium without signing an MoU with the Saudi government would be tantamount to human trafficking.
(A014/INE/B003)
EDITED BY INE
(A014/KR-BSR/B003)
(A014/KR-BSR/B003)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
