Pasuruan Job Market Fair

Visit Binamandiri's Stand and get the latest information also direct consultation on working overseas at Pasuruan Job Market Fair, which will be held at :

Day/Date :

2-3 December 2009

Time :

08.00 -16.00

Venue :

Candra Wilwatikta

Jalan Raya Tretes - Pasuruan

When is due date on RI-Malaysia MOU ?

21 November 2009 was the expected date from Muhaimin Iskandar, Indonesian Minister of Manpower and Transmigration, as reported by Detik.com, on resolving MOU of Placement Indonesian workers to Malaysia by both governments, so that the moratorium on placement to Malaysia can be dismissed.

2 days have past for the expected deadline, and negotiator teams from both sides still arguing on some crucial things such as new salary scheme, placement fee and others.

No designated date has been informed when most likely the MOU will be inked by both governments.

While the MOU being discussed and negotiated, it is already almost 6 months since the moratorium applied by Indonesian Government thus creates new problems in placement business. Many Malaysian agencies have closed their businesses; else the illegal placement has been increased significantly mostly using water transportation in any legal or illegal exit points along Indonesian coast on Sumatra Island.

Binamandiri talked with an agency in Malaysia, who claimed that they still can get one or two maids who came using boat, as at all airports in Indonesia, security has been tighten due to the moratorium. It just likes Bernoulli fluid law, when we compress certain point or area, then the fluid will look for other area to expand, when the government suddenly stopped the placement to Malaysia, those workers will find other ways as long as they can reach and work in Malaysia, although those ways are illegal ways, and not even the government has the effort to prevent it.

The only way to prevent those illegal activities is the good consent of both governments to put away their selfness and with good intention to realize the MOU as soon as possible.

In other news, today 23 November 2009, the Malaysia Star reported that the MOU would likely to be inked on December 2009, but no specific date has been proposed, said Malaysian Minister of Human Resources, Dr. S Subramaniam. So that moratorium could be ended by December and the Indonesian maids can start to come to Malaysia again, he claimed. He hopes all problems and disputes on the MOU can be resolved by Desember 2009, as Indonesia has proposed their readiness to resolve all the disputes and problems on MOU as soon as possible.

We do all hopes that December 2009, will be the realization of MOU, as December just only a week time

Another survey from BNP2TKI

Last Friday, 13 November 2009, Binamandiri was visited by people with BNP2TKI name tags. It was a surprised visit, as no prior information by fax or telephone call.

The people with BNP2TKI name tags introduce themselves as surveyors from Sucofindo, the same company who accredited Binamandiri for ISO 9001:2008.

They explained that BNP2TKI is appointing Sucofindo to conduct survey towards Indonesian Manpower Agencies (PPTKIS), Training Center (BLK), Insurance Companies and Medical Centers. Although they are Sucofindo people, but they on duty under BNP2TKI supervision, so they had to wear BNP2TKI name tag. They told that they have been intensively trained by BNP2TKI about the regulation and procedure for a week.

The surveyor explained that currently the government is very concerned about the problems occurred in placement and protection of Indonesian workers overseas, so they conduct survey to analyze the problems. Well, they should be concerned, very concerned, with 24.000 Indonesian workers every year end up in Embassy Shelter for various problems, from salary not being paid, harassment, torture, criminal activity, and many things, as explain by Vice Minister of Foreign Affair, there should be comprehensive action to minimize it in the future.

Firstly the survey was conducted with interview based on the questionnaire. Binamandiri thought the surveyor would ask about the current situation of placement, barriers or challenges on recruitment and placement, and many other critical issues. Quite stunned when the first chapter of the questions were about whether Binamandiri has all necessary documents to establish business related to place workers overseas. So he were asking whether Binamandiri has Notary documents, 500 million bank deposit, 3 years planning, Hinder Ordinance (HO), bla…bla…bla…and the last whether Binamandiri has SIUP or Business License. Such a ridiculous questions, it is actually obvious, we can’t operate manpower business if we don’t have business license issued by minister, and to obtain it, all the necessary documents from notary documents, bank deposit, other documents from a to z should be presented originally in front of the committee in Department of Manpower and Transmigration. It isn’t necessary to ask about all requirements documents, if Binamandiri can present SIUP, even it is not necessary to ask about Binamandiri’s SIUP, as it is still valid and registered in BNP2TKI and Depnakertrans, that’s what make the surveyor came to our place based on the data from BNP2TKI, else it is the job for the police to closing down the illegal company.

Then the interview continued with the second chapter of the questionnaire, and yet it still asked about placement documents, whether Binamandiri has SIP, whether Binamandiri using the appointed insurance company and medical center, whether PAP part of the procedure, bla…bla…bla… another series of ridiculous questions. Where it is already stated on the regulations about all the procedures to place Indonesian workers to overseas, either we have to comply with the regulation or else we can’t place them and/or facing criminal charges of illegal placement (which apparently just a few cases ever end up in court)

Third chapter of the questionnaire were about troubled TKI overseas, still about documented documents on handling any problems for TKI overseas. It was considered quite improvement compare with two previous chapters of questions. And that were it, the questionnaire. Where were the critical questions, Binamandiri thought the survey is intended to improve the placement and minimize the problems with series of critical questions?

If they were only asking about necessary documents, obviously they could always dig up in BNP2TKI or Depnakertrans database and not necessary to go all the way to Malang.

The survey continued with survey on Binamandiri premises. The surveyor where checking whether Binamandiri has room for its directors, has dormitories, has standard office facilities, but the first checking was whether Pancasila Crest and Photos of the President and Vice President are well hanging on the wall. A big question, what is the correlation whether Binamandiri already put Pancasila Crest and Photos of the President and Vice President on the wall with problems on Placement of Indonesian workers overseas ?

By the way, what happened with the survey conducted by BNP2TKI on December 2007 to January 2008 where BNP2TKI issued the result on 27 January 2008?

The result was astonishing that from 250 Indonesian Manpower Agencies who has Training Center all over Indonesia, they can only find 181 Training Centers, and the rest were unknown, and yet they still received the license. From that survey only 16 were categorize A (Very Good), 42 were B (Good) and the rest shared the rate of C for 69 and D for 17, which D is categorized Very Bad. According to the letter issued by Jumhur Hidayat, Head of BNP2TKI, those with C and D category should improve themselves and they would be evaluate within 3 to 6 months started from 1 February 2008 or else the license would be revoked. How was the follow up of Jumhur’s letter? NOTHING !!, those C and D type of Training Center still run as usual, as nothing ever happened, those unknown Training Center still remain unknown and uncertain, and the number of Manpower Companies are increasing by the year, although they are not equip with proper training center, although it is not mandatory, but it should be equip with training center if the private sector and government considered protection is the important thing.

So, how will the last survey end up ? With such method of questionnaire and survey, it is doubted can be used as source of data to evaluate the problems of placement and protection of Indonesian workers overseas.

What a waste of money and time if the survey just a collection of photocopied documents that cannot be analyzed.

Government gives free passport for TKI

During press conference to welcome 406 troubled TKI from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia on 10 November 2009 at Soekarno Hatta Airport, Minister of Law and Human Right, Patrialis Akbar, expressed his plan to exempt the expense of Passport TKI.

Today, 16 November 2009, at his office Jalan HR Rasuna Said, Patrialis Akbar held a press conference to expose 100 days program of his administration, which one of the program is to exempt the expense of Passport TKI.

Binamandiri welcomes with minister's program, but most important things, the passport process is totally free no string attached with other fees and no loop hole on the regulation that can be used by immigration officer to ask bribe money.

Currently TKI is burden with passport expense between Rp. 250.000 until Rp. 300.000 although the legal price which state in the price list sign at immigration office is only Rp. 150.000. In the cost structure for placement fee to overseas, government set the pasport only cost Rp. 150.000, the same as the sign, where actually Rp. 150.000 is only the price for the passport book and there are other fees to buy the form at immigration cooperative, fee to take picture, fee for retribution and many other fees that can be totally up to Rp. 100.000 to Rp. 150.000

That's not it, the Memorandum of Understanding between Jumhur Hidayat, BNP2TKI and previous Minister of Law and Human Right, Hamid Awaludin, about Passport TKI with 24 pages gives more burdens to TKI. If a person already have 48 pages passport, and want to work overseas, so He/She has to endorse the passport for TKI passport and it can only be done at Immigration Head Office in Jakarta, else if the cost to Jakarta too expensive, he/she doesn't have any choice to give bribe money to the immigration officer at exit point for a cost of one passport Rp.250.000 !! - and it is already under table common practice.

So, the main thing for Minister of Law and Human Rights, not just give free passport, but all unnecessary regulations and agreements that gives or it can be a loop hole to burden TKI should be revoke, and reformation of his subordinate who interact directly with TKI is a must so that TKI won't be object of exploitation by bad officers of Department of Law and Human Rights

RI-Malaysia agreed on Task Force

On the way to APEC Summit in Singapore, On 11 November 2009, President SBY took a visit to Malaysia to meet with his counterpart, Prime Minister Najib. SBY was accompanied by the new Minister of Manpower and Transmigration, Muhaimin Iskandar, and 4 others ministers. It was the first country that SBY visit after his inauguration on 20 October 2009.

There is certain urgency that SBY has to stopover in Malaysia as recently many incidents happened towards Indonesian Overseas Workers (TKI) in Malaysia, from the maltreatment of Siti Hajar on July 2009, Moratorium by Indonesian, deadlock of Inter-dept meeting between RI-Malaysia until the recent death of Muntik Bani because of maltreatment by her employer which forced Indonesian Foreign Affair department to issue Diplomatic Notes towards Malaysia

On his press conference with Prime Minister Najib, SBY expressed his satisfaction of good progress on legal protection towards TKI in Malaysia nevertheless SBY hopes improvement still continues in the future by both countries. Based on year-to-year evaluation by Indonesian Government, compare with previous years, Malaysia has made significant improvement towards in terms of protection of foreign workers, Right fulfilment and legal assurance.

Previously, Prime Minister Najib also explained that his side would like all TKI to use proper channel to work in Malaysia, in order to have legal status on his/her existence in Malaysia in order to get the protection and legal support if he/she is being exploited.

Malaysia will seek justice to those who exploits the TKI as well as Malaysian who harassment TKI who work legally in Malaysia, said Prime Minister Najib

In the news today, 16 November 2009, Minister Muhaimin Iskandar claimed that both countries has been agreed to set up Special Task Force to take care all troubled TKI in Malaysia and Indonesia will arrange the action plan of the task force to take care those TKI. While preparing the task force, Indonesia will rationalize other matters related to placement so that only those who is ready, can work in Malaysia.

Muhaimin believe that Memorandum of Understanding between Malaysia-Indonesia can be settled on 21 November 2009, and moratorium can be revoke as soon as possible

Unsung Heroes and Heroines on Heroes Day

Indonesia commemorates the heroic action of those heroes who bravely ripped of Dutch Flag and hung Indonesian Flag at Yamato Hotel in Surabaya, which caused the death of the famous British General Mallaby, as Heroes Day every 10 November.

Now, the colonialism era had ended and Indonesia is facing globalization era, where economy is taking the big role for Nation development. During this era, heroes and heroines are rarely recognized as no one literarily armed themselves and fighting for Independency. They are all fighting in different ways, as a teacher, a police, a doctor, an environmental activist and many more, just to be part of the nation development.

But there are heroes and heroines whom often forgotten during this era, those are Indonesian Men and Women who are working overseas. The government claims that they are Indonesian Economic Heroes and Heroines, unfortunately not like heroes during colonialism, fame and fortune still far behind them. Public never knew that those Men and Women have been greatly support Indonesia’s Economy. Each year they contribute remittance almost 10 trillion Rupiah to Indonesia. That number is almost 10 percentage of National Budget or ten times direct foreign investment to Indonesia. From those numbers, we should be thank you to our workers overseas instead of the big conglomerates from overseas who only contribute less than one percent of National Budget.

But that contribution doesn’t return evenly to them. Public often neglect their existence and big role in economy. The though of working overseas mostly connotation as new way of modern slavery, that’s why public consider put them in second class society. There are many sad stories of exploitation, mistreatment, harassment and many things surround them, and those poor treatments happened 80% in Indonesia, by their fellow Indonesian.

There is big banner with beautiful slogan in Soekarno Hatta Airport in Jakarta, “Welcome Home TKI/TKW, Economic Heroes and Heroines”, but unfortunately the welcoming is not as beautiful as the slogan. It is already become public secret that most Indonesian Overseas Workers often being rip-off at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, from the potter, police, immigration officer, even from authorize money changer, who with loathsome, trick the workers with low exchange rate which the incident also happened towards HE Hamid Awaludin, Indonesian Ambassador for Rusia, who was assumed by the money changer staff as Indonesian Overseas workers or TKI. But the government seems helpless to prevent those things happening, and TKI, our economy heroes and heroine still continue to be the object of extortion and exploitation in their own country.

When can we start to appreciate them as the real heroes and heroines ???

…. The slogan “Welcome Home TKI/TKW, Economic Heroes and Heroines” just an allegoric on Heroes Day…

Gentur Priantono, acting head of Provincial Department of Manpower and Transmigration of East Java Province

Yesterday, 3rd November 2009, held at Agis Restaurant, Association of Indonesian Manpower Agencies (APJATI) East Java Province held meet-greet event with the acting head of provincial Department of Manpower and Transmigration (Disnakertrans), Ir. Gentur Prihantono, M.T. He recently replaces Indra Wiragana, the previous Head of Provincial Department of Manpower and Transmigration who suddenly being transferred to Office of Environment, after only 5 months in the office.

Mr. Gentur graduates from Civil Engineering and has two Master Degrees in Engineering and recently in Law, as he claimed. His tour of duty was deputy of Binamarga Departement (Responsible for Road Infrastructure) and the latest as Head of Archives and Library Office of East Java Province before Soekarwo appointed him as acting head of Disnakertrans.

From his educational background and his experience as a bureaucrat, there should be a big question whether he is the right man for the right position, as none of his formal education and work experience close enough with neither Manpower nor Transmigration.

Anyway, from his introduction speech towards directors of Indonesian Manpower Agencies in East Java, He seems a man with vision, firm and willing to listen for any suggestions and critics. He gave a convincing and remarkable speech about his big concern of the Association’s role whether it burdens TKI with unnecessary fees, something that never been raised by his predecessors.

He said that he will work hard for 100 days of his administration which similar with SBY programs, and once he has his inauguration, he would like to held hearing with all stakeholders on placement of manpower overseas, to catch up the recent issues.

Hopefully he can be a success bureaucrat.

End of the meeting, he walked down from podium and shake everybody hands from front until end of the rows, an excellent gesture as public servant to serve the public not being served by the public

Congratulation to Ir. Gentur Prihantono, MT, MH

Depnakertrans legalize extortion towards Taiwan Female Workers?

It was being a rumour since April 2009 until fade away on August 2009 that the Taiwan loan for Indonesia care taker will be increased.

Suddenly an email dated 20 October 2009 came from Huanan Bank, informing that the new cost structure has been release and already available for Indonesia Manpower Agencies. Binamandiri directly talked with China Trust Bank, as we no longer cooperate with Huanan Bank, and the information from China Trust Bank that the new cost structure was still in discussion by Indonesian Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration (Depnakertrans). Previously China Trust Bank ever printed the new cost structure as ordered by Depnakertrans unfortunately suddenly it was never applied and China Trust Bank just wasted the printed materials, so we don’t want to waste more printed materials, claimed one of China Trust Bank officer.

So, Binamandiri was assuming that there wasn’t any changing yet, until suddenly China Trust Bank sent email to inform us to get the new loan book with new cost structure, the information was very contrast with the one on 20 October 2009, else Binamandiri’s staff in Jakarta received rejection from Depnakertrans office who deals with documents legalization for Taiwan Visa due to the use of old cost structure.

Like always, not a single letter from Depnakertrans as the policy maker has been released to announce the new cost structure either to the appointed banks nor Indonesian Recruitment Companies. Probably Depnakertrans just want to have their hands clean by not issuing any letters related to it, so that no one can make any lawsuit or protest towards the government and leave the dirty hands to others parties, and probably the bank will be the escape goat.

The big questions are, WHY THE TAIWAN’S LOAN FOR INDONESIAN FEMALE CARE TAKER HAS TO BE INCREASED? WHAT IS THE URGENCY? WHO WAS ASKING FOR THE INCREASEMENT?

Previously, Indonesia Female Caretakers has to lend money for their placement expenses to Taiwan, although she can pay upfront. If the Caretaker does not sign any loan agreement with appointed Taiwan Bank, Depnakertrans will reject any legalization for visa applications. The caretaker has to lend approximately NTD 49.787 or roughly 15 million Rupiah, and total NTD 70.545 for the payment on the loan plus interest and various fees from the Bank or 40% of interest for 1 (one) year term of loan. And yet Depnakertrans approved such loan scheme which consider with unreasonable interest compare with big conglomerates who only pay maximum 18% of interest for their business loan, but mostly even less. Binamandiri though Indonesian Female Caretakers are the true economic heroines in modern era, where their remittances every year achieve 10% of National Budget or 10 times of foreign investment to Indonesia, and yet the appreciation from Indonesia Government is extremely low.

Now, started from 20 October 2009, Depnakertrans has approved to increase the loan to NTD 60.794, NTD 11.007 or roughly 3 million Rupiah more than previous cost structure, and with total of NTD 85.728 for the entire payment. 3 millions is considered big amount for Indonesian Female Caretaker.

It already becomes public secret and common practices in Indonesia that from the previous cost structure, NT 49787, Indonesian Recruitment Agencies can still share NTD 15.000 to their Taiwan agency partner even some Indonesian Recruitment Agencies can even share up to NTD 22.000, which certainly they will cut all the necessary costs such as Training and proper meal and accommodations of the candidates. Some can even share around a million or two to the recruiters which obviously will cut more variable costs related to quality of the candidates.

Those fees are actually not in the cost structure or they are illegal fees but yet that is the common practices.

With the current market situation, where Taiwan demand is higher than the Indonesia supply, Indonesian has bargaining position to lower the sharing fee, so it is unlikely the Taiwan will ask for any increased. Actually it is the appropriate time to revise the cost structure to lower than before, so that, all the excess fee can be suppressed and the Indonesia Female Caretaker won’t be exploited with high loan with high interest.

Probably certain companies who were sharing too much fee were proposing the schemes, so that the can keep increasing the fee while maintain or increase the profit.

In Binamandiri recollection, there wasn’t any inter governments discussion being held about increasing the loan, or at least among associations and Indonesian Manpower Companies. Probably certain crook companies closed to Depnakertrans were proposing and discussing the scheme, because once the loan was increased, some companies also increase the share to recruiters or middle man up to three to four millions as mentioned by one of the recruiter who came to Binamandiri’s office to bargain and comparing the fee with ‘that’ company. Else one Taiwan agency also already asked to increase the fee as they heard about the new cost structure.

Anyway, no matter who was asking for the new cost structure, Depnakertrans is the last line of defence, and sadly Depnakertrans not in favor of Indonesian female caretaker.

The new cost structure only makes “the Indonesian Recruitment Agencies”, “Taiwan Agencies” and the recruiters happier while the Indonesian female caretakers are more extorted.

It is quite odd that the new measurement applied on 20 October 2009, when the cabinet was demission and the new elected cabinet was not yet inaugurated by the President SBY. It was SBY who ordered the ministers including Erman Soeparno, that one month prior to demission, ministers were not allowed to make any strategic decisions, and yet the new cost structure was applied.

Well, how odd it was, the fire ball is in Muhaimmin’s hands now, and Binamandiri hope the new minister can have wise new decision regarding the new cost structure.

New Minister of Manpower and Transmigration, Muhaimin Iskandar

Muhaimin Iskandar is the new Minister of Manpower and Transmigration on the new cabinet of President SBY. It was announced last night (21/10) at exactly 22.00 by President SBY the new cabinet for his second term of his administration.

The announcement of Muhaimin Iskandar as Minister of Manpower and Transmigration was not too surprising, as SBY had already informed to the public about the minister position when he held the audition for Minister at his house in Cikeas-Bogor. After meeting with SBY, each of the Minister Candidates informed publicly about the questions and directives from SBY, and implicitly the public can understand about the position being offered to the candidate.

The composition of the new cabinet dominates by members political parties who supported SBY during the Presidential Election last June 2009. There are 20 Minister out of 34 are from Political Parties including Muhaimin Iskandar as Minister of Manpower and Transmigration.
There are many scepticism and disappointment among experts and the public towards the selected ministers from political party background, as their competence being doubted, else some of them were lost in Legislative election which means their constituents were no longer trusted them, so how they will be able to manage the trust of all Indonesian people during their administrative.

Muhaimin Iskandar currently is the chairman of Nation Awakening Party (PKB), One of Indonesian Party with long history of internal conflicts. He is nephew of the famous Gus Dur, 4th President of Indonesia and also the founder of PKB whom Muhaimin Iskandar had conflict with.
Graduate from Political Faculty of University of Gajah Mada and Master of Communication Science, Muhaimin Iskandar is genuine politician, where he spent most of his time in Political Party and Parliament. His last position was one of Parliament Deputy. He spent most of his young time at Moslem Cleric Enviroment in Jombang.
With such background, there should be concerned with his competence to run Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration as he never dealt anything related to Manpower nor Transmigration, even when he was in Parliament, from any recollection, he never posted in Commission 9 which deals with Manpower and Transmigration.
Muhaimin Iskandar will have to use all his time available to catch up with all the issues related to Manpower and Transmigration and understanding them.

Muhaimin Iskandar is replacing his predecessor, Erman Soeparno who also comes from PKB. It seems Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration is allocated for candidates from PKB rather than choosing competent professional to run it, similar with Ministry of Escalation of Left Territories. But at least Erman Soeparno is businessman who at least ever deal matter related to Labour.

Jumhur Hidayat, head of National Board of Placement and Protection of Indonesia Manpower Overseas (BNP2TKI), in his statement published by BNP2TKI website, is confident that Muhaimin Iskandar is the appropriate person for the job and he is good friend of him, hopefully the dispute between BNP2TKI and Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration can be eliminated during Muhaimin’s administration.
In the same website, Muhaimin said that he will work closely with BNP2TKI of National Program of Manpower Placement Overseas.
Everyone hopes that those statements are not just lips services for the public, where all stakeholders have been suffered from the conflict which made everything rules, regulations, procedures becomes uncertain.

Like the proverb said, “Don’t judge the book from the cover”, we should give Muhaimin a chance to prove the public that he is the best candidate chosen by Presiden SBY to run Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration. 100 days of his administration will be the time for President SBY and the public to evaluate him

Congratulation to Muhaimin Iskandar as Minister of Manpower and Transmigration.

Challenges and Barriers in Recruitment of Indonesian Workers in PPTKIS Perspective

(The Article previously delivered in ILO Workshop of Current Trend of Recruitment Indonesian Workers – 15 October 2009)

3 days Workshop held by ILO in Malang, 14-16 October 2009, to discuss current trend of Recruitment of Indonesian Workers and to identify barriers and challenges of all stakeholders involved, PPTKIS, NGO, Government Officials, Recruiters and many others, looking for the underlying issues.

Barriers in Recruitment
In Binamandiri perspective as Indonesian Recruitment Agency (PPTKIS), it is sadly to say that the biggest barrier is actually comes from Indonesian Government itself.
At least there are 7 (seven) things that makes Indonesian Government becomes the biggest barrier, thus are
1. Conflict between Depnakertrans and BNP2TKI
It already becomes despicable scene the open long conflict between Depnakertrans and BNP2TKI, not only shameful scenery that public think about power and money dispute, but also creates uncertainty in law, regulation and procedure in grass root. Not even SBY and Supreme Court can settle the dispute, although Supreme Court decision was favour to BNP2TKI, Depnakertrans still managed to create new Ministry Decree to continue the dispute.
2. Lack of Inter-Department Coordination
Not enough with problems created by the dispute by two Government institutions responsible for Placement of Indonesian Workers Overseas, it is also worsen by lack of coordination between those two Institutions with other stake holder Departments such as Department of Foreign Affair, Department of Health, Immigration, etc. It is often happens that between Departments do not trust the legal product issued by each government institution, and they tend to avoid interaction between departments. An experience case, when Binamandiri with many local regulations before PPTKIS can recruit the candidates from its region. wanted to apply Recruitment Letter for Canada Placement, Depnaker asked for Binamandiri to call Indonesia Consulate in Toronto rather than they use official letter and send by fax to confirm the validation of embassy letter.
3. Application of Regional Autonomy
The application of Regional Autonomy to Province and Region Government brought many additional problems toward recruitment of Indonesian workers. Although PPTKIS already license nationally, unfortunately because of Regional Autonomy, many province and regional governments, are burdening PPTKIS More often the local regulations are ridiculous and tend to prosper the illegal practices by Sponsor or Calo or whatever the terms is. For example in Banyuwangi, Jember, Kediri, PPTKIS cannot recruit on those area unless PPTKIS willing to set up UP3TKI (such small branch office) where the managers are the Calo or Sponsor, and under UP3TKI, they are legalize. UP3TKI can be considered illegal terminology as the law only mentions that the subjects of Placement are only Government and PPTKIS.
4. Poor Law Enforcement
It is typical of Indonesian Law Enforcement that still full of corruption and collusion. There are many cases of tormenting and neglecting Indonesian workers overseas that involve PPTKIS from the recent 78 female workers stranded for 3 days without food and money in Changi Airport on the way to Saudi Arabia, because the company until the common problems of underage workers, fabricated placement documents and inhuman accommodation and meal on Training Center, but yet from Binamandiri recollection, none of any PPTKIS license has been revoked due such actions
5. Lack and incompetent Officials
Many officials either in Central Government or in Local Government who responsible in Placement of Indonesian workers overseas are mostly never had any training about his/her duty. They comes from various background on previous department: sucah as department of agriculture, Underhead Subdistrict (camat), department of education, department of transportation and many others which not even close to handle workers. While the original officials of Department of Manpower who already has the experience and training, are also being transferred to other unrelated department. Beside need time to catch up with issues about placement, mostly lack of experience and create blunder in Department of Manpower.
6. Complicated procedure
Approximately there are 18 desks or offices or for PPTKIS to go through from recruitment until placement which previously were 22 offices claimed Erman Soeparno.
7. No POLITICAL WILL
Last but not least is NO POLITICAL WILL from the government. Placement of Indonesian workers overseas has started since 1970s until now, almost 40 years. Indonesian government actually can identify the problems, find the causes and look for the solutions but yet the problems getting bigger every year. Indonesia can reflect to Philippines where the can manage overseas placement very well, Why Philippines can do it but Indonesia cannot. It is required POLITICAL WILL.

Because of the 7 matters from the Indonesian government, it reflects towards PPTKIS. Public or candidates who want to work overseas think that to work overseas through Indonesian Manpower Agencies (PPTKIS) will be difficult, time and money consumptive, full of extortion, unsafe and many other bad images. That’s why the illegal placement getting higher every year.
The statistic survey held by NGO, informs that candidates for overseas placement get the information about procedure to work overseas from : Brooker/Calo/Sponsor (86%), Family (6%), Neighbor (6%) and Government/PPTKIS (2%). The statistic shows that Indonesian government doesn’t do his job very well to provide information about working overseas, so it is not the workers fault if they are stranded in illegal placement due to their incomprehension.

Beside from Indonesian Government, barrier also comes from News Media, due to unbalance report about Indonesian workers overseas. Media tends to blow up the misfortune incidents happens with Indonesia workers overseas who mostly using illegal procedure, where information about many success overseas workers are only very little. Thus create generalization that working overseas will always end up in sad and miserable story

Challenges in Recruitment
Beside barriers there are also challenges in recruitment, thus are :

1. Overseas demands are increasing every time and the jobs become for specific, it is a big challenge to seek appropriate candidates. There are a big need to create courses and profession school for specific job so that fresh graduates can have soft skill to take the demand from overseas
2. Lack of English or Foreign language always an issues that we always lose the competition with the Philippines
3. Competition among nations is getting tighter. Now new competitors have emerge, where previously only Philippines, now China, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, and Pakistan are the new competitors
4. Lack of fund from the candidates. Indonesian Banking system is not favour to Indonesian workers, although they have support income for Indonesian banks from remittance, 10 trillion Rupiah each year. So difficult access to bank loan to arrange for the placement expenses, sometimes become problem for the candidates, it is a challenge for Binamandiri to provide access to bank loan with the guarantee of their job order.

Binamandiri gave suggestion as part of the solution that hopefully can be a starting point to reform the National programs of placement of Indonesian workers.

1. Firstly, there is an urgent need to revise Ordinance No.39/2004 to be more comprehensive.
2. Secondly, Indonesian Government must create strong and firm law enforcement to uphold all laws and a procedure referring to placement of workers overseas as it is related to other countries business which eventually can create problems towards destination countries.
3. Thirdly, Establishing Online System will cut time, cost, and obviously problems, and it is also will be more transparent, accountable and controllable
4. The last and most important suggestion, it is advised that education about working overseas should be applied as early as possible such as Philippines. So that, since early time, candidates can set their objectives after their graduate from school, understand the procedure to work overseas and surely understand about the rights and duty.

Taiwan New Health Measure

On its letter dated 28 September 2009, Taiwan Economic and Trade Office (TETO) will apply new health measurement which will be put effectively on 15 October 2009.
The new health measurement is every worker who is placed to Taiwan, must undergo Typhus Health Check at appointed Medical Laboratories.
Fail to comply with the measurement, will be affected on suspension to apply new visa for period of 2 weeks until 4 weeks.

Happy Eid Fitri 1430H

Boards of Director and Staff PT. Binamandiri Muliaraharja

wish all of you Happy Eid Fitri 1430 H

Minal Aidzin Wal Faidizin

PT Binamandiri Muliaraharja ISO 9001:2008 Certificate

DIRECTOR SPEECH

WELCOME
by Tri Astuti Sanarto – CEO of Binamandiri Muliaraharja
17 September 2009

Welcome to Binamandiri Website

Firstly, Board of Directors and Staffs of PT. Binamandiri Muliaraharja wish you all Eid Fitri Mubarak, Minal Aidin Wal Faidzin, which currently in September 2009, Indonesia as biggest Moslem country in the world and all moslem people all over the world celebrate Eid Fitri.

This past year has been the toughest year for Binamandiri as the world suffer the biggest recession ever. The unemployment rate on advance countries rose sharply and it was predicted by the first semester of 2009 will reach 100 million people lost their jobs.
Binamandiri main core business which related to job placement also received the big impact.
Last November 2008, Binamandiri received many job demands from various countries, e.i Maldives, Australia, South Africa, and Canada ; unfortunately after the winter holiday finished, the demands were canceled as the result of Global Economic Crisis.
Binamandiri exclusive cooperation with New Zealand, had to be revised its target of placement.


During the gloomy period, Binamandiri tended to increase its professionalism by focusing to achieve ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Certificate in order to get International recognition. Finally on 24 July 2009, PT. Sucofindo as ISO Auditor announced that Binamandiri had passed Final ISO Audit and entitled for ISO 9001:2008 Certificate
On 17 September 2009, commemorate Binamandiri's 24th Anniversary, Binamandiri received Original Certificate of ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management from PT. Sucofindo.

In the last third quarter of 2009, It seems the global economy has re-bounce to positive trend. Some advance countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, etc have shown positive economy growth and the number of people losing jobs have been decreasing significantly. On the first week of September 2009, Binamandiri has already received new demandw for skilled workers, from Hungaria, Malaysia, South Africa and Netherlands. Hopefully the demand will increase in coming months.

Next year Binamandiri will celebrate 25th anniversary, it is considered a mature age for a company to survive for such long period. Binamandiri tends to increase and maintain its excellent service towards our clients and Indonesian workers.

Welcome to our new clients

Thank you for become Binamandiri's Client in Global Employment

Jumhur gave Insurance for beneficiary of Late Binamandiri's Worker

Iftar with Government High Officials and Indonesia Recruitment Agencies

Iftar with Orphanage Children of Salman Orphan House

Iftar (Break Fasting) with Orphanage Children of Salman Orphan House

Independence Day Celebration

Job Placement to Australia by BNP2TKI

Recently PT. Binamandiri Muliaraharja received many applicants from various places in Java who personally came to our office to seek information about placement to Australia. The information were informed on running text of various TV News in Indonesia that BNP2TKI said Australia needs 1000 Farm workers and the approximate salary is 24 million rupiah. They seek further information to the nearest Disnaker and by Disnaker, they were directed to get more information to PT. Binamandiri Muliaraharja.

It is part of PT. Binamandiri Muliaraharja's duty to give clear information about work opportunity in Australia so that the applicants can understand the work opportunity.

For background information, we would like to inform the current economy of Australia as follows :

Australia like other Western country currently suffer from Economic Crisis. For all states in Australia only Western Australia can still survive with the crisis as NSW is currently at the edge of bankcruptcy.

Western Australia's economic growth is plunge to -1,25% this year and will be expected to raise up to -0,5% on 2010. The budget will be deficit on 2011 and 2012 for AUD 513 billion and AUD 489 billion respectively. It is predicted between 2009 – 2010 approximately 20 million Australian will be queuing at “DOL” to seek the job. (DOL = Department of Labour)

Referring to BNP2TKI information of work opportunity in Australia, the information was gathered when BNP2TKI conducted a road show to Australia on 13 – 19 July 2009. It is actually true that there is a potential work opportunity in the farm (cow), as the economy strikes Australia, people start to return to open farm again or back to work in farm again.

Unfortunately, any positions in farm ARE NOT AVAILABLE on Australia's Shortage List Skill. A foreigners like Indonesian can work in Australia only if the positions available on Australia Shortage List Skill either State or Federal Shortage List. Under the Australia Shortage List Skill, He or She can apply work visa on 457 Sub-Class Visa Scheme or Skilled Regional Sponsorship Visa.

BNP2TKI is trying to look at other possibility that is under Labour Agreement Visa. Under Labour Agreement Visa, the requirements can be decided by both parties, Indonesian Party who deal with recruitment and Australia Party, in this case the requirements can be more easy, such as no language requirements, etc. But to get Labour Agreement, will take unpredictable time to process and large amount of money, as it will involve many negotiations, hearings, discussion, etc... etc which will involve many stakeholders in Australia, such as Parliament, Workers Associations, Business Associations, many government departments, lawyers, solitaire and many others. Binamandiri ever talked with Immigration consultant in Melbourne on last December trip, and the information received was Labour Agreement since it ever been introduce, only 2 big companies manage to get Labour Agreement, so it is almost impossible if an Indonesian Private Company such Binamandiri, would like to try to get such Labour Agreement.

From the above information, We would like to inform to any applicants who wish to work in Australia as follows :

1. Australia currently in Economic Crisis, and have very high unemployment rate so DIAC have already put some measures to tighten the work visa issue
2. Under Visa 457 and Skilled Regional Sponsorship Visa, working in Australia is still the hardest compare to work in New Zealand, as the applicants has to be able to get IELTS 4,5 – 5,5 and minimum 3 year of work experience
3. The work opportunity informed by BNP2TKI is still vague as Labour Agreement takes unpredictable and enormous time and money to process.
4. It is advise to seek the information directly to BNP2TKI for Australia opportunity which has been proposed, at Jl. M.T. Haryono Kav. 52, P. (021) 7901158

ISO 9001:2008 for Binamandiri

On 23 – 24 July 2009 were the longest days for all staffs and directors of PT. Binamandiri as there were 3 (three) events happened simultaneously. The biggest event was Final Audit for ISO 9001:2008 certification by PT. Sucofindo.

Since a year ago, Binamandiri prepared itself for applying for ISO 9001:2008 with guidance from BizPlus Consultant, a respective ISO Consultant located in Surabaya. Preparing for ISO was not an easy task for staffs and directors of Binamandiri as it was required a big intention and willingness from the whole stakeholders of Binamandiri, staff, top management, clients and everyone else who involves with Binamandiri.
Because preparing for ISO meant applying standardize work procedures, forms, and checklist; evaluating every targets and quality control; applying high discipline with rewards and punishments; and the most difficult thing is changing the work ethic and mindset.

Why ISO 9001:2008 is so important?
Many people and colleagues asked, Why Binamandiri make a considered bothersome effort to gain ISO? What so important with ISO? While maybe only one or two out of 600 Indonesian Recruitment Agencies already has ISO 9001:2000.
Binamandiri considers ISO is a very important thing for the business, because :

1. As International acknowledgement for Binamandiri. The main business of Binamandiri involves clients from all over the world, having ISO 9001:2008 Certificate means Binamandiri is internationally recognize and standardize. Our big target is to gain trust towards to Binamandiri from more overseas clients.
2. The main idea of ISO is standardization of work procedure along with setting targets and objectives, with that in the future Binamandiri can be more specific to evaluate the accomplishment of the targets and objectives and avoid any mistakes and fault which hopefully can satisfy Binamandiri’s clients in high standard.
3. ISO will make sure the continuing business of Binamandiri, as standardize work procedure has been recorded and applied, so any replacement of staff won’t be effected Binamandiri’s services towards our clients.

Finally, on 24 July 2009 afternoon, the meeting on the result of the final audit was held at Binamandiri Auditorium. It was attended by all staffs, board of directors, BizPlus Consultant and led by PT. Sucofindo as the auditor.
The result was remarkable magnificent, Mr. Bagus, Lead Auditor of PT. Sucofindo, announced PT. Binamandiri Muliaraharja has successfully passed ISO 9001:2008 Certificate - Quality Management, with only three minor evaluations which should be clarify within 2 (two) months before PT. Sucofindo officially gives ISO 9001:2008 Certificate.
It was the happiest day for PT. Binamandiri Muliaraharja, especially for the staffs of Binamandiri who has given the biggest effort to make everything successful.

We would like to thank give our biggest appreciation BizPlus Consultants, All of Binamandiri’s Overseas Clients and especially to all staffs of Binamandiri for JOB WELL DONE.

Achieving ISO 9001:2008 is not the final job, but it is merely just a start for bigger job in the future to improve service towards our clients, increasing satisfaction towards Binamandiri’s Clients and to hold the achievement of ISO 9001:2008 for next evaluatin

Thank you and Congratulation.

Taiwan Process Postponed for Uncertain Time

It is already more than a week since 13 May 2009, Indonesia Police Headquarters (HQ) has not issued any police letter. The incident is caused by the discovering of fraud Police Letter by Police HQ, when they raid staffs of various Indonesia Recruitment Agencies who happened processing the visa application for Indonesia Overseas Workers at TETO.
Rumors said around 12 people of Indonesia Recruitment Agencies Staffs who caught in hand to use fraud paperwork. Since then, the Police HQ conducts full scale of investigation towards any individual who manufacture fraud Police Letter and also Police station in District, Regional and Provincial, who frequently issued Police Letter for Indonesia Overseas Workers.

We would like to inform to all Taiwan Employers and Agencies that the visa process in Indonesia has been postponed and no time certainty when the Police HQ will issue Police Letter, probably once the investigation finished.
Police Letter issued by Indonesia Police HQ is one of the main requirements to obtain visa at TETO.
We hope understanding from Employers and Agencies for this incident, as it is beyond our power to resolve it, and it is all up to Indonesia Police HQ.

In the future, there will be expected sudden cancellation for confirmed Indonesia workers, as currently TETO has straighten the checking of Birth Certificate of the applicants. It has been found many fraud cases of Birth Certificate, and TETO already suspend more than 10 Indonesia Recruitment Agencies who allegedly produce and use the fraud documents. TETO already suspected involvement of Indonesia officials in certain Region to provide such documents.

Hopefully, the measure that has been taken by Police and TETO which it should be Depnakertrans and BNP2TKI job in supervising, can select professional Indonesia Recruitment Agencies out from the unprofessional ones who already caused many problems in placement business

Referral of Insurance and Donation from Friends and Indonesia Consulate in Hong Kong

 for the Late Tri Cahyanti Beneficiary

Indonesia Labor Attache visited Binamandiri

Ms. Sri Setiawati, Indonesia Labor Attache in Hong Kong, visited Binamandiri

Pink Kebaya for Kartini Day @Binamandiri

Nakerwan is the New Kartini

Every 21st April Indonesia celebrates Kartini Day to commemorate Raden Ayu Kartini, a residence's wife who set up the milestone for emancipation and women empowerment. R.A. Kartini was a figure to encourage women to be treated equally with men especially in terms of education.

Nowadays, her legacy can be seen in Indonesia. Indonesian women now are as capable as men in all positions, even in certain cases some women can overcome men. Those women are the New Kartini.

Ones of the New Kartini are Indonesian Overseas Female Workers or we called them “Nakerwan”.

Currently there are approximately 4 million Nakerwan scattered all over the world to obtain Dollar in foreign countries. Those Nakerwan mostly are low educated and came from poor villages all over Indonesia. They sacrifice their life in Indonesia, leave their love ones, husband, parents, sons-daughters for one big purpose, to earn high salary in order to increase their welfare back in the village.

Does it worth for sacrificed ?

YES IT DOES, at least for Indonesia. 

Indonesia gain big economic advantage from those Nakerwan. According to Mr. Jumhur Hidayat, Head of National Board of Placement and Protection Indonesia Workers Overseas (BNP2TKI), The remittance from Nakerwan becomes Indonesia's number one income from Non-Oil Sector else for one year fiscal, the amount is enormous, it is three times from direct foreign investment to Indonesia. He gave an example that each year Madiun Regency enjoys 72 billion Rupiah from Nakerwan's Remittance while its domestic revenue is only 30 billion Rupiah, half of the remittance and it boost Madiun's economy and welfare.

President SBY on his speech towards Anticipation on Global Economic Crisis, put Nakerwan's remittance as the third pillar to make Indonesia survive from the crisis.

More than those above, each nakerwan works in overseas, can lift up 4 people from poverty and unemployment in the villages.

From Nakerwan side, she can support her husband and her family, pays for her children tuition, builds house and as capital for her for productive purposes. Men should be ashamed for those New Kartini who sacrificed her life to support him, if he just waste the money for useless things.

UNFORTUNATELY, Nakerwan, the Economic heroine, is treated almost the same as Raden Ayu Kartini, by Indonesia Government and some Indonesian societies, scorned. That's not all extortion and ripping off by government officials and crooks always surround Nakerwan. 

Not like Philippines both the people and government who gives big appreciation to its female workers overseas, Indonesian still looks down on Nakerwan.

Some high level societies think that Nakerwan is disgrace for Indonesia and marked Indonesia as Country of Domestic Helper Exporter. Well is true, and what's wrong, those Nakerwan is a legal worker and they place legally to overseas. That presumption mostly issued by society from Feudal Generation who think for themselves and never think to make an effort to lift up villager, more than that they should mirror themselves that Domestic Workers in overseas received clear work contract, equal treatment, high salary, and holiday compare with their treatment to domestic helpers.

Although in black and white, the Indonesia government, gives a big attention to Nakerwan, unfortunately hundred and eighty degree in practice. Nakerwan is the source of extortion and ripping off, and those actions 99% happened in Indonesia. Nakerwan has to pass at least 18 desks if they want to work legally and each desks will have legal and underdesk payment with absurd amount of money thus not exclude others extortion in Airport when they arrived back to Indonesia.

There is a banner in Airport “Welcome Home Economic heroine”, but from porter, police, immigration and other officers seems to be racing to extort money from Nakerwan who return to Indonesia, as if they are new naïve rich people and somehow the government seems hopeless to handle it. Many stories I heard from my colleagues and I experienced by myself how those public servant treat badly to our heroine.

It is not enough for the public servant and crooks to rip off the Nakerwan, the banking system also very less supported to Nakerwan. Although Banks enjoy trillions Rupiah from their remittance, unfortunately Nakerwan has to pay commercial interest for their loans and somehow along with administration, provision, transfer fee and other ridiculous fees, the interest can achieve up to 75% per year.

Binamandiri doesn't deny that most Indonesia manpower agencies are thinking for profit only rather than social responsibility. Thus creates poor treatment and many scams towards Nakerwan while they are in Training Center.

Many works have to be done if Indonesia wants to appreciate our New Kartini.

Hopefully with the current election can bring new government who gives more attention to Nakerwan in the future, uphold their rights and give big appreciation for their effort as Ambassador for Indonesia.

In this Kartini Day, Binamandiri salutes to Nakerwan all over the world, thank you for all your effort for Indonesia economy and welfare. You all are New Kartini.

The New Kartini at Indonesia Consulate in Hong Kong

Thank you.

This article is dedicated all Nakerwan to commemorate Kartini Day, 21st April 2009.

Maladewa

Maladewa atau lebih populer disebut Maldives dalam bahasa Inggris, adalah negara kepulauan yang terletak di Samudra Hindia, di sebelah utara pesisir Sri Lanka. Separuh dari pulau-pulau Maladewa adalah Atoll atau terumbu Karang. Maladewa memiliki kurang lebih 1922 pulau dan hanya 20 persennya dihuni.

Maladewa merupakan bekas jajahan Inggris dan termasuk negara persemakmuran Inggris. Bahasa yang digunakan adalah Dhevinet serupa dengan bahasa Arab, bahkan tulisannya pun berasal dari Tulisan Arab, akan tetapi bahasa Inggris merupakan bahasa kedua di Maladewa dimana sistem pendidikannya pun mengacu pada sistem pendidikan di Inggris.
Total penduduk Maladewa adalah sekitar 300.000 (tiga ratus ribu orang) belum termasuk sekitar 50.000 (lima puluh ribu) orang tenaga kerja asing dari seluruh penjuru dunia, terutama berasal dari Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India. Maladewa adalah negara yang 100% muslim, dan keseluruhan sistem kenegaraan menganut sistem hukum Islam termasuk didalamnya adalah Libur pada Hari Jumat. Adalah menjadi ketentuan, tidak ada warga negara Maladewa yang non-muslim. Penduduk Maladewa merupakan etnis keturunan Bangladesh.

Male adalah ibukota Maladewa yang terletak dalam satu pulau sendiri dimana 70% penduduk Maladewa tinggal. Luas pulau Male sangat kecil hanya kurang lebih 3 kilometer persegi dan dapat dikelilingi dalam waktu 15 menit dengan mobil. Bangunan-bangunan di Male seperti perkampungan di Indonesia yang saling berhimpitan dan tanpa halaman, dengan jalan utama hanya selebar 4,5 – 6 meter. Di Male, terdapat semua kantor pemerintahan dan swasta.
Kesulitan terbesar di Male adalah untuk mengetahui lokasi rumah atau bangunan, dikarenakan Male menggunakan sistem nama bangunan daripada pernomeran, sehingga untuk bepergian harus menggunakan taxi dengan biaya + Rp. 18.000 jauh-dekat. Setiap bangunan memiliki nama yang unik untuk membedakan satu dengan yang lainnya.
Taxi dan transportasi darat lain hanya terdapat di pulau Male saja.
Airport Male terletak di Pulau Hulhule yang berseberangan dengan Pulau Male, dan dapat ditempuh dalam waktu 15 menit dengan kapal penumpang yang setiap 10 menit beroperasi.

Perekonomian Maladewa tergantung sepenuhnya dari industri pariwisatanya. Pemerintah maladewa menyewakan dan memprivatisasi pulau-pulau atol yang dimiliki kepada perusahaan-perusahaan swasta untuk dikelola.
Maladewa saat ini memiliki sekitar 89 resort pada 89 pulau, 1 pulau untuk 1 resort, dan tahun 2009 direncanakan 9 resort baru akan dibuka dan hingga tahun 2015 terdapat total 43 resort baru yang selesai dibangun dengan kapasitas 8000 kamar.
Resort-resort tersebut terletak menyebar di samudra Hindia dan terisolasi dari keramaian. Resort hanya dapat dicapai dengan pesawat komuter kecil atau speed boat. Resort bersifat kawasan pribadi yang hanya dengan reservasi dapat mengunjungi resort tersebut. Tidak seperti Male, yang penuh dengan orang dan keramaian, resort sangat terisolasi, sehingga pegawai yang bekerja di resort diberikan fasilitas lengkap oleh pengelola, dan dapat menggunakan semua fasilitas hotel atau resort yang ada.
Rata-rata gaji terendah yang diterima adalah berkisar antara USD 200 – USD 250, memang tidak besar, tetapi mereka akan menerima Service Charge Bonus yang merupakan 10% dari pendapatan perusahaan dibagi secara proposional kepada seluruh pegawai dan rata-rata mencapai USD 500/bulannya.
Adalah peraturan di Maladewa, bahwa setiap pekerja asing akan mendapatkan fasilitas penuh yaitu 3 kali makan dan akomodasi, sehingga pekerja asing menerima gaji bersih.

Biaya hidup di Maladewa tergolong mahal, dikarenakan semua bahan makanan adalah import dan air minum merupakan penyulingan dari air laut. Rata-rata sehari berkisar Rp. 150.000 untuk kebutuhan makanan.

Maladewa sangat membutuhkan banyak pekerja asing untuk membangun dan menjalankan resort dikarenakan penduduknya yang sangat sedikit yang tidak dapat memenuhi permintaan akan tenaga kerja dari seluruh resort. Untuk setiap resort diperkirakan mempekerjakan rata-rata 300 orang dan untuk pembangunannya sedikitnya 500 orang per-resort dibutuhkan. Penduduk Maladewa bisa dikategorikan masih tergantung pada orang tua sehingga keinginan bekerja sangat minim. Dikarenakan hal tersebut, pemerintah Maladewa memberikan kuota maksimal 50% dari total pekerja dapat di datangkan dari luar negeri.

Maladewa adala peluang bagi Tenaga Kerja Indonesia terutama disektor perhotelan untuk mendapatkan gaji tinggi dan pengalaman kerja yang luar biasa.

Dalam bahasa Dhiveni, “Dhivehi raaje yah maruhabaa" Selamat Datang di Maladewa

Shangri-La Villingis Helping Its Sister Hotels

It was Shangri-La Villingis the main purpose to visit Maldives in 1 – 9 April 2009, as Binamandiri received demand to supply Hotel Staff on 20 January 2009 for its Human Resource Manager.

Unfortunately, it was different story when Binamandiri met with Human Resource Manager in Male – Maldives. Shangri-La Villingis is the largest investment ever made by Shangri-La Group and ever built in Maldives. It is consist of 143 Villas, 328 Hotel Staff for Pre-Op and occupied 3 kilometre square of Atoll Island of Villingis. He said that Shangri-La Villingis will not be effected by Global Crisis, as big investment already been made, no postponing project, so the show must go on which will be pre opened on July 2009. 

BUT, he said, although Shangri-La Villingis will not be effected, The head office of Shangri-La and Shangri-La Hotels all around the world were hit quite bad by economy tsunami. Some Shangri-La hotels chains in some part of the world have to lay off some of their hotel staff.

For that reason and also because based on Maldivian Law, Shangri-La Villingis can hire up to 50% from total employee from overseas, Shangri-La Villingis has to accommodate hotel staff from its sister hotels who being laid off.

The recruitment which has been held by Shangri-La Villingis in Maldives, India and Indonesia which through Binamandiri, has to be postponed until Shangri-La Villingis fully operate in September 2009 where it will add 200 more workers to complete 328 workers that already recruited for Pre-Op.

Hopefully the economy tsunami will not devastate Maldives like the actual tsunami happened in December 2004.

AANZ FTA = Loses for Indonesia

1 March 2009, Indonesia inked ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZ-FTA) in Bangkok – Thailand, together with all members of ASEAN and Australia New Zealand counterpart. Binamandiri felt surprised that Indonesia willing to ink the FTA, as many aspects has not yet completely agreed.

AANZ FTA had been in discussion since last year among Ministers of Trade on those countries. The idea of AANZ FTA is to increase trades among countries by lowering the import tax for specific items, for Indonesia is to receive beef and milk from New Zealand while Indonesia can export its textile product. But that's not all, some countries like Indonesia wanted similar clause such FTA between China and New Zealand which inked directly by Helen Clark and Hu Jin Tao, where FTA with China included a ‘temporary employment entry’ clause. This was part of the agreement and specified 200 Chinese doctors, 200 Chinese chefs, 150 Mandarin teaching aides, 150 martial arts coaches and 100 tour guides. In addition a maximum of 1,000 ‘skilled Chinese workers’ were to be granted temporary employment for up to three years. It was a good FTA for Chinese.

Indonesia wanted similar deal in the FTA unfortunately New Zealand was not ready to repeat the China deal, because recession was looming and the migrant job issue was becoming sensitive in New Zealand. It was in Indonesia New headlines last November 2008 saying the New Zealand work offer was ‘peanuts’. A list of jobs was published. This included 100 semi-skilled nurses, 100 oil and gas welders, 20 language teaching assistants and 20 halal butchers. The work visas would be for three years and expanded annually. Unfortunately, said in the paper, it was rejected by New Zealand side.

Binamandiri as one of Indonesia Manpower Company who engages with New Zealand market, taking big concern for the AANZ-FTA, and seeking further information, hoping that FTA coulde be successly inked by both parties.

Binamandiri talked with lead negotiator in New Zealand side, Ms. Vangelis Vitalis, who had been very kind and pleasant to brief about the FTA and she claimed that New Zealand never offered any job positions to Indonesia negotiator and probably it was just a wishlist. She suggested that Binamandiri should talk Mr. Guntur Witcaksono who is lead negotiator for Indonesia side.

Last January 2009, Binamandiri had a chance to talk with Mr. Guntur Witcaksono, Head of International Cooperation in Department of Manpower and Transmigration. He explained comprehensively, that the job lists came from Presiden SBY when Helen Clark visited him. The offer then became wish list by Indonesia Ministry Trade office and put on Labor Agreement official proposed by Indonesia Government, and it was his job to make sure the Labor Agreement agreed by New Zealand negotiator.

Unfortunately it was deadlock between Mr. Guntur Witjaksono and NZIS (New Zealand Immigration Services), which from Mr. Guntur information, NZIS cannot approve and secure any job positions for Indonesia, and it is domain policy of NZ-DOL (Department of Labor). 

It was quite strange for such information given by New Zealand side, as NZIS is part of NZ-DOL.

Mr. Guntur said that Labor aggreement offered by New Zealand delegation was normatif agreement to ratify ILO ordinance which emphasize no child labor. Although Indonesia already ratifies ILO Ordinance, he afraid the agreement can be used to counter FTA Agreement when Indonesia exports its textile as there are still many child labor in Indonesia although not officially work.

On his last statement, The master FTA cannot be signed unless the labor aggrement is inked first.

Unfortunately it was different story on 1st March 2009, the FTA was inked by all participant countries, and only Indonesia-New Zealand Labor agreement was excluded. 

Thailand, Vietnam and Philipines inked the labor agreement as proposed by New Zealand, and their people now can enjoy Working Holiday Visa Scheme for 100 people each year. The requirements for Working Holiday Visa is very simple, aged 25-35, University graduate, and has 50 million rupiah on their account. They can work for a year in New Zealand in all field of jobs. Special for Vietnam and Phillipines, they gained some ‘temporary employment entry’ positions – though far fewer than the China FTA.

Indonesia gets NOTHING in terms of Employments, No Working Holiday Visa and especially No Temporary Employment Entry.

Binamandiri spoke with Steve Jones, Head of Visa Officer New Zealand embassy in Jakarta on 3rd of March 2009 after the FTA. He explained that Indonesia Labor Agreement was actually had to be signed prior to Master FTA, but it was about politic.

New Zealand is prepared to talk about this issue as something outside the FTA though only if the Indonesia initiates discussions and no limit of time for the discussion. The Indonesia Embassy thinks there’s an New Zealand team in Jakarta doing this right now - MFAT (Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade) says that’s not so.

Well, It is election year now in Indonesia, so it is unlikely Indonesia will open the talk with New Zealand about the Labor Agreement. 

Once again, we lost our opportunity for employment, while other countries gained it and New Zealand received big advantage on low import tax.

SPA Therapist a Booming Market

Although Global Economy Crisis causes huge negative impact, it is also create opportunity for work such SPA Therapist. Many people in advance countries such USA, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan etc are stress facing the biggest recession ever, most of them want to escape by relaxing themselves.

In recent news, there is increasing number of people visiting Comedy Clubs in UK and USA, where people just want to avoid any stress caused by recession, similar situation happens in SPA establishment.

On Binamandiri's visit to Maldives, most of the demands are for SPA Therapists and SPA Managers. The increase of Tourist coming to Maldives to get SPA Treatment has been very high recently. Beside Maldives, Binamandiri also received similar demand from Hungary, Malaysia, Turkey, Slovakia and Morocco. 

It just recently after Indonesia won as the best SPA destination on Berlin Tourism Exhibition on 17 March 2009, that demand of Indonesian SPA Therapists has been increased.

SPA therapist is a very attractive position, in average SPA therapist can earn from USD 500 – USD 1000 net salary.

What is the challenge ?

In SPA therapist, Indonesia has only one competitor, Thailand, it is good opportunity, not like housemaid where Indonesia has also to compete with Filipino, Vietnam, Nepal, Bangladesh, India and Thailand.

The challenge is, not like Thailand, SPA Therapist is not so popular position in Indonesia, probably Bali is exception. Indonesian society still thinks that SPA Therapist is disguise position of prostitute, the same idea for sending Domestic Helper to overseas, is a despicable job, they says. 

Well, those statement are entirely bad judgement. We are sending professional Domestic Helper and professional SPA Therapist, with better welfare and salary compare for the same position she does in Indonesia.

Beside the biggest challenge to turn image and culture of Indonesian society, the other challenge is there are very few SPA Therapist Schools to accommodate both domestic and overseas demand.

Binamandiri talked with Soul of Java, a respective SPA Establishment in Jakarta, about the situation, and they also concurred those statements above.

To accommodate the both demands, domestically and overseas, Binamandiri sister's Foundation, Binakarya Mandirimulia Foundation, incorporate with Soul of Java will establish SPA Therapist Course designated for unemployed Indonesia female teenager by the end of May 2009 in Malang which also part of the Ministry of National Education programs in profession course.

SPA Course is a must for the candidate as one of the requirements to obtain work visa is Diploma on SPA Training/Education from respective institution. Most of SPA Course is only taking 150 hours – 300 hours course or around 3 months.

Some demands require experienced SPA Therapists, but according to Soul of Java, actually candidates with fresh training are better, because the training will be designated to type of SPA massage and material requested by SPA Owner. Every SPA has its own unique massage and such as Java Style, Bali Style, Hot Stone, Shiatsu and many others, and the material also unique, oil based, cream based, natural based that's why understanding the concept of SPA is critical to provide appropriate SPA Therapists.

It is better for the owner to try first the massage skill prior to select the candidates.

The demands are ready, Binamandiri invites candidates with SPA Therapist experience to send the CV for better work and salary to overseas, we also invite any Institution related to SPA establishment and Indonesia Manpower Companies to grab the very good opportunity in Placement of Indonesia Workers.

Maldives : Potential Market for Indonesian Workers

Recently in 1st – 9th April 2009, Binamandiri visited Maldives and Sri Lanka, to respond demand of Indonesian workers from Shangri La Villingi, the largest resort in Maldives and Shangri-La Hotel Chain, and some prospective Maldivian Agencies.

It is part of Binamandiri’s standard procedure to assess work placement, economy-social aspect of Destination Country and most important thing is credibility of Maldivian employers and/or agencies. The same things that Binamandiri had conducted in Seychelles – Africa, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia.

Maldives is an island Moslem country located north of Sri Lanka coast, with approximately 1192 islets scatter across Indian Ocean. The biggest economy income comes from Tourism Industry and followed by Fishery. Total Maldives population is approximately only 300.000 people excluding 50.000 expatriate workers, and mostly comes from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India. Most of the population is concentrate in Capital City in Male Island, a small island that only takes 15 minutes by car to circle it around. According to H.E. Djafar Hussein, Indonesia Ambassador for Sri Lanka and accredited to Maldives, there are around 500 to 700 Indonesian working in Maldives in various sector, Shipping-Fisheries, Airlines, Construction, and the biggest positions is in Hospitality Industry.

Although the world is facing Economy tsunami, it seems Maldives doesn’t get big impact from it, not like the physical tsunami which devastated Maldives and of course Indonesia in December 2004, at least that was told by Mr. Endang Sugiharto, from Indonesia Workers Association in Male-Maldives, who currently work as Mechanic at Maldivian Air. Everyday at least 700 tourists are served by Maldivian Air to various Resorts from Male International Aiport, almost same amount before the crisis hit the world economy. Even the highest ever was 1200 people in one day were transported somewhere on February 2009. Now with the low oil price and many Low Coast Carrier Airlines from Europe schedule direct flight to Male, keep the tourism industry stabilize from recession. The statement also concurred by many Manpower agencies whom Binamandiri met with.

Maldives currently has high demands for foreign workers especially for Hospitality Industry. This year only, Maldives will open 9 (nine) new resorts and until 2015, approximately 43 resorts and hotel will be opened. Each resort approximately requires 300 workers from all level. Thus exclude workers for construction workers to build the resorts which mostly will require 300 to 500 workers for the projects.

Maldives Government realizes that its population isn’t enough to fill the gap of demand for the resorts, that is why employer such resorts can bring foreign workers up to 50% of total employee. Although such measure already implemented by Maldives Government and the work age is started at 15-16 years old compare with Indonesia which started at 18 years old, with only around 100 thousand work forces, Maldivian cannot fill 50% of the demand.

The young age to work also gives big effect for the increasing of turn over staffs for Maldivian. They are not mature enough to work, many of them just want to have fun and rely on their parents economically and not yet ready to work with schedule.

Beside workers for tourism industry as explained above, huge demand also comes from Construction Sector to build the resorts and also in Health Sector. Binamandiri received Demand from Maldives Ministry of Health to supply Doctors and Nurses with very attractive salary and facilities.

At least 10.000 foreign workers are required to fill in the gap this year only and about 70.000 foreign workers will be needed until 2015 to run all the resorts, that if 43 new resorts are established. Most of the workers come from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam, China, Indonesia and Philippines respectively. The order is sorted from the lowest salary given by employer, and also the largest number of people. It is obvious that the lower the salary, the more people can be hired to work as less money given by employer. But in terms of skill and attitude, Indonesia and Filipino are the best ones compare with Bangladesh and India. The information was also given by Mr. Yasir, Indonesia workers whom Binamandiri met in Bandarnaike Airport – Sri Lanka. Mr. Yasir with 9 of his colleague were Trades Workers (Tukang) who on the way home after successfully finished their term of contract at Shangri-La Villingi Maldives.
Mr. Yasir said, 10 Bangladesh workers were assigned to build Restaurant but after 3 months the foundation didn’t even finish while he and his men were assigned to build 20 bungalows with 35 meter height and 80 meter square wide which can be completed as schedule, 1 bungalow in a month time. Thus gave big appreciation from the construction company who hired Mr. Yasir and his men.

Beside vast job opportunity, Maldives also gives interesting and competitive salary towards foreign workers. For waiters and waitresses, the lowest position in Hotel Industry, although the basic salary is only around USD 200, a worker can earn from USD 650 until USD 1000 per month includes service charge and tips. All workers will receive Net Salary, as 3 day meals and lodging must be provided by employers according to Maldivian labor law. Mr Yasir who worked as Carpenter, earned around USD 500 Net Salary. For Doctors and Nurses, the salary also very attractive else the requirements is not very high such in other countries. For fresh graduate nurse, can earn USD 500 while Specialist doctor with 2 years clinical experience, can earn up to USD 2000 with full furnished apartment

Bits and Pieces also occurs in Maldives, Mr. John Admiral, Consular Function of Indonesia Embassy in Sri Lanka accredited to Maldives, informed Binamandiri that some labor cases involved Indonesian occurs in Maldives, mostly unpaid salary and ignorance Maldivian agencies and also related to drug problems, added by H.E. Djafar Hussein.
The recent matter in Maldives, 4 Balinese carpenters were felt home sick as they never expected the work situation in Maldives. The broker or “Calo” who brought them in, was hit-and-run type of person, and just wanted to gain for his personal benefit only. The employer refused to pay their return ticket as they only worked for 2 months, certainly they didn't have money. Luckily, embassy managed to contact the “Calo” and asked him to provide return ticket. There should be more labor problems actually than it was reported, because none of the workers or the sender ever make any report of their arrival and departure, so that make embassy has difficulty to track down and collect the data of Indonesian in Maldives.

It is advised by H.E. Djafar Hussein that Indonesian agency should assess the agency credibility very carefully and also the work placement in Maldives such what has been done by Binamandiri. Ambassador gave big appreciation to Binamandiri for coordinating with Indonesia Embassy.
Binamandiri more than agrees with Ambassador statement. Currently in Maldives, for total population of 300.000 people, there are 370 Licensed Manpower Agencies compare with Indonesia who has around 600 Manpower Agencies in 230 million population. Almost 90% of Maldives manpower agencies are crook and no-ethical business conduct as it was told by Mr. Yasir. Many of the manpower agencies tends to rip off the foreign workers especially from Bangladesh and they mostly neglect the responsibility as mediator between employer and employee.
Binamandiri previously also received offered from at least 5 Maldives Manpower agencies, but when Binamandiri checked the location of the manpower agency's office, it was just like street hawker.
It is advice for Indonesia Manpower Agency to double check the credibility of Maldives Manpower Agency before conducting any further process of placement, and for Applicants, it is advised to use Indonesia Manpower Agencies when dealing with Maldives Manpower Agency. The process will be a bit higher in cost, but certainly it is more safe.

Maldives is 100% Moslem Country and it is advantage for Indonesia which 70% Moslem, to send more workers to Maldives compare with Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka who are mostly Buddhist and Hindu. We have big bargain position in terms of Moslem population, good skill, and better attitude. The only problems for Indonesian is long distance and no direct flight from Indonesia to Male, that's make the guarantee money to Maldives Government very high. It is mandatory for agency or employer to submit deposit money of 1 return ticket price before the Maldives government can issue work visa, and because the deposit money already so high, the agency or employer doesn't want to pay the airfare for the applicants to go to Maldives thus will be bare by the applicants. Unfortunately, the Indonesia banking system is not big supporter for Indonesia workers overseas although they enjoy their remittance which almost three times direct foreign investment to Indonesia, so the applicants can't bear for the process and air fare ticket.
If only the government related to Manpower placement, can directly persuade Maldives Labour and Youth Minister to lower the deposit money and Indonesia Government will give full guarantee for any deportation, just like Philippines does, certainly Maldivians will be more than happy to accept their fellow Moslems to work in Maldives ….

Like Maldivians said in their language “Dhivehi raaje yah maruhabaa” … WELCOME TO MALDIVES