Maharani Pushes RI-S Korea Migrant Worker Renewal
Indonesian Speaker Urges South Korea to Renew Migrant Worker Agreement, Prioritize Protection
Jakarta, Indonesia – Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Puan Maharani has called for the swift renewal of a bilateral agreement with south Korea concerning the placement of indonesian migrant workers, emphasizing the need for stronger protections, notably within the vulnerable fishery sector. The call came during a meeting with South Korean legislator and presidential envoy Cho Jeong-sik at the Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Maharani highlighted the important contribution of Indonesian migrant workers to the south Korean economy, describing them as “laborers with admirable spirit and productivity.” However, she stressed that this contribution should be met with reciprocal respect and robust safeguards.
Stalled Agreement & Concerns for Fishery Workers
The renewal of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) regarding the employment permit system between Indonesia and South Korea has faced delays due to South Korean objections to provisions designed to protect Indonesian migrant workers in the frequently enough-challenging fishery sector.
“Indonesian migrant workers deserve proper and decent treatment from local authorities,” Maharani stated, appealing to the South Korean National Assembly to support maximum protection measures. The specifics of the contested provisions weren’t detailed, but the focus on the fishery sector suggests concerns around working conditions, wages, and potential exploitation.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties Beyond Labor
Beyond labor agreements, Maharani emphasized the importance of deepening overall ties between Indonesia and South Korea. She advocated for increased people-to-people exchanges, including expanded opportunities for students and lecturers to study and conduct research in each other’s countries.
“It would certainly be greatly appreciated if Indonesian pupils and students can access more scholarships to study in South Korea,” she said. Increased scholarship availability would foster greater educational collaboration and cultural understanding.
Maharani also pointed to the potential of joint tourism and cultural activities to strengthen bilateral relations. She believes such initiatives would allow both nations to showcase their unique cultures and foster mutual appreciation.
“I believe that this meeting, despite its brevity, will prove useful for us to get updates on the bilateral relations forged between the two countries,” Maharani concluded, expressing optimism for continued progress in the relationship.
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