Any problems related to Indonesian workers abroad won't occur if we can change the perspective that was previously weakened ourselves. Hermono, Vice Ambassador of Indonesia in Malaysia, expressed this statement while attending the Focus Group Discussion on Indonesian Labor Management in Friday (12/5). This event was organized by the Public Administration Program of FIA UB held in the Seminar Room in B Building Second Floor, and was attended by lecturers, students, and representatives of institutions who organize labor.
Hermono stated that the “Mental Revolution” that was constructed by President Joko Widodo should change the previous perspective of “conventional wisdom” into “a new paradigm”. The previous paradigm that could weaken us is that sending labor abroad is only based on economical motives, such as increasing the foreign exchange and reducing the unemployment. Meanwhile, the new perspective that required to be developed further is that sending Indonesia labors as a platform for increasing the quality of human resources, protecting human dignity, and as a diplomatic device. “The previous perspective will always make us feel demanding from other countries, so it weakens our position,” he added.
Moreover, Hermono specified the number of Indonesian Labors working in Malaysia are now about 3 million people. They are spread over various development fields in Malaysia, which means Malaysia really needs us. However, the previous perspective still weakens us. “The existence of Law Number 39 of 2004 makes it worse because it only concerns money without even considering their protection,” he said. He expected that the bill about laboring now being composed by the People's Representative Council could change the perspective.
Dean of FIA UB, Prof. Dr. Bambang Supriyono in his speech asked Hermono to explain about the role of reform agents in labor affairs and how the comparison of roles between developed and developing countries. Moreover, Bambang was expected by the explanation from Hermono, students could objectively understand about this labor affairs controversy. “At this time, only the conflicts are being blown-up, while there are still harmonic sides considering these two countries are both Malay and Muslim,” said this friendly professor. (ALA/FIA)
