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March
President Joko Widodo Underlines Middle-Class Growth as ASEAN Power
Written by Ani HasanahIndonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has underlined the growth of the middle class in Asia Pacific and Southeast Asia as the economic power in the regions.
"There is significant growth in the middle class in Asia and Asia Pacific. For the time being, we must ignore the number of political issues carried in the front pages of newspapers, because the most important fundamental and historic development currently happening in the world is the growth of the middle class, which is continuing to increase in Southeast Asia," he said, in the presence of company leaders and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at the CEO Forum of ASEAN-Australia Special Summit at International Convention Center, Sydney, Australia, on Saturday.
"There is one important thing that differs in the current cycle of growth of the middle class this time, which is digital economic development, in particular social media," he stated.
Digital economy and social media, according to Jokowi, have brought fundamental changes in consumption pattern.
"The middle class and the youngsters are more interested in experiencing adventure rather than luxury goods. That is what has made tourism industry grow," he remarked.
Quoting Bloomberg data, he stated that the world`s economy only grows three percent a year, but the tourism industry has grown seven percent. Bloomberg predicts one of the four new jobs in the next 10 years to come from the tourism industry.
"Again, 25 percent of new jobs in the world will come from the tourism sector. This is an extraordinary opportunity for ASEAN and Australia to not only promote tourist destinations for the middle class in China and India but also develop it as a big market for domestic tourism industry," he revealed.
Australia can be one of the tourist destinations for development of tourism industry in Asia.
"Several years ago, when the price of commodities fell, Australia had stated, `let us change the explosion of mining into an explosion of dining`. I have said let us move the explosion of dining to ASEAN," he explained.
Moreover, he added that ASEAN was just investing a lot in infrastructure development, such as airport, seaport, and railway development, and some ASEAN member countries have even started developing fast train system for the first time.
"This is an opportunity for Australian business players. ASEAN also needs to create big capital markets such as capital market for dollar and Euro zone. This is a big opportunity for Australian banks and financial industry. Unless it is taken, other financial companies will certainly take it," he elaborated.
Jokowi urged Australian businessmen to do business in ASEAN, especially Indonesia.
"Now is perhaps a colorful time, in the midst of current global and local political situation, but it also offers an encouraging moment to improve the relations between ASEAN and Australia in the fields of trade, tourism, and investment. I welcome you to ASEAN and Indonesia," he noted.
Sharing Jokowi`s view, Turnbull pointed out that the middle class in Indonesia would grow many folds by 2030, opening more opportunities in investment and trade.
"However, the governments and businessmen must remain committed to rules that have been agreed upon for free and open trade, as opening a market may not happen by itself but needs support and commitment from business and governments. Therefore, I invite all of you to assure that the rules are honored in the region," he stressed. (ANTARA)
March
BPJS Employment Continues to Offer Independent Self-Registration Application for Indonesian Migrant Workers
Written by Ani HasanahDirector of the Social Security Administering Agency (BPJS) of Manpower, Agus Susanto stated that his office has a program specifically aimed at providing protection to Indonesian Migrant Workers (TKI) working abroad. After the inauguration of 17 Community Learning Center (CLC) in Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia, on Friday, March 16, Agus Susanto explained that there are some differences between BPJS Employment for workers in Indonesia and the Indonesian Migrant workers TKI. In addition, on that occasion he also explained about android-based applications, BPJS Ketenagakerjaanku which allows migrant workers to register independently.
“Employment BPJS is only one applicable in Indonesia. However, to cover the migrant workers there is a separate regulation. Namely the ministerial regulation number 7 of 2017 where the difference is the coverage and also the amount of contributions. And since August 1, 2017 we have a mandate to provide protection to all workers in placement countries. Last week we introduced an application to register independently by TKI. This is how difficult we are in the country of placement. Therefore, by using android-based applications, BPJS Ketenagakerjaanku, migrant workers can register independently,” Agus Susanto said.
Agus Susanto added it is possible that his side will send special representative in placement countries of the Indonesian migrant workers especially in plantation area that do not get internet access. Therefore, he will continue to coordinate with the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in the country of placement related to it. In addition to internet access, other thing to be considered by BPJS Employment of opening representatives in the country placement of migrant workers is the workers feel more comfortable to get things directly or face to face. (VOI/Rezha/AHM)
March
Gender Equality Will Be Achieved Through Synergy among Ministries
Written by Ani HasanahGender roles in science and Technology become important to be considered both nationally and internationally. It was conveyed by Researcher on gender issues of the Indonesian Science (LIPI), Wati Hermawati to Media after book launching of Gender and Science and Technology at LIPI Media Center Friday (16/03). Wati said stigma of science and technology development is only dominated by men now has faded given the many roles of women in the development of science and technology. Wati asked the Indonesian government to be synergic between ministries or related institutions so that government agencies can minimize gender issues.
“If we look at these emerging gender issues it's a lot. If we look at those sciences from various sectors we still need hard work to optimize the realization of gender equality and justice. But the government is not silent, the government has done that. Only we need synergy. So if you just walk alone, the ministry of women's empowerment running alone without any partners with other ministries or other stakeholders it will be difficult to achieve,” Wati Hermawati said.
Meanwhile, the Head of Center for Research of Development of Science of LIPI, Trina Fizzanty said the problem of gender bias must be erased from time to time. According to her, women have made a significant contribution in the development of science and technology. (VOI/Ahamd Faisal/AHM)
March
Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Increases Attention to the Health of Migrant Workers’ Children
Written by Ani HasanahIn addition to improving access to education for children of Indonesian Migrant Workers in Malaysia, the Government of Indonesia is also working to increase its nutritional intake and access to health care for them. Therefore, the Indonesian Government through the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in cooperation with the Ministry of Health will provide additional nutrient intake of vitamins and other food support for migrant workers’ children.
“Well now our concern is health. If we visit the plantations, we can see many children are stunting due to lack of nutrition. I have spoken with the Indonesian Migrant workers, with Social Security Administrator Board (BPJS), I will also talk to all people including the Minister of Health to provide vitamins. It can be milk, milk we give, we share. Then vitamins, and then we will strive with third parties to provide them nutrition,” Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Rusdi Kirana said in his press conference after inaugurating 17 Community Learning Centers (CLC) in Sarawak, Malaysia on Friday 16 March in Miri, Sarawak.
Ambassador Rusdi Kirana added that the effort is a way to realize the biggest dream of improving the welfare of Indonesian society. They can live well in their own country, without having to earn a fortune in other country with illegal status. (VOI/Rezha/AHM)