Indonesia, Australia Agree To Increase Manpower Cooperation

Jakarta, (Antara Sumbar) - Indonesia and Australia have agreed to increase cooperation in the field of manpower, through Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA).

"There are two areas being discussed between Indonesia and Australia, which are education and vocational training and exchange of professional workers," Manpower Minister M Hanif Dhakiri stated in a press statement from the Manpower Ministry's public relations bureau received here on Thursday (Sept 21).

Dhakiri received Australian Minister of Tourism and Investment, Steven Ciobo, here on Wednesday to discuss IA-CEPA in the field of manpower.

"The cooperation is also aimed at following the directives of Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Australia Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who have agreed to settle negotiations on economic cooperation by the end of this year," Hanif noted.

Regarding cooperation in training, the Directorate General of Training and Productivity has built cooperation with an Australia training institute and a vocational training center.

"Actually, without IA-CEPA negotiations, a vocational training center (BLK) in Indonesia has already cooperated with a vocational training center in Australia. In the future, we have to increase vocational training cooperation at vocational training centers," he remarked.

Hanif noted that foreign parties are now allowed to participate and invest in vocational training centers and developing BLKs.

On exchange of professional workers, the minister explained that Australia has requested a number of skilled workers from Indonesia as an exchange.

"IT workers are among those being expected," he added.

In response to it, Hanif stated that he was yet to discuss it with the professionals associations.

"We have to discuss it with professionals associations as it is not impossible that the country itself would be in need of IT workers," he explained.

With regard to professionals' exchange, he noted that all foreign partied would be treated equally, he revealed.

"There will be no exception, including for Australian workers, despite the fact that Australia is an IA-CEPA member. Any foreign worker who wishes to enter Indonesia must pass equal procedures and abide by manpower law Hanif reiterated. (*)

Editor: Vicha Faradika