VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta – Indonesian Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, and Minister of Migrant Worker Protection (P2MI), Abdul Kadir Karding, are preparing a comprehensive protection scheme for Indonesian crew members (ABK) working aboard foreign fishing vessels. The initiative aims to enhance the safety and well-being of ABK working overseas.

The scheme includes several key aspects: improving ABK skills through the Ministry of Marine Affairs' training centers, mapping out countries that employ Indonesian ABK, and synchronizing ABK data between the two ministries. The goal is to ensure that Indonesian ABK are well-prepared and protected from potential exploitation or abuse while working abroad.

“We are ready to train and prepare future ABK for professional work overseas through the training centers we operate,” Minister Trenggono stated after a meeting at the Ministry’s office in Jakarta on November 26, 2024. He emphasized the importance of these training facilities, which are located in Medan, Ambon, Tegal, Bitung, and Sukamandi, as centers for developing the skills of ABK candidates.

In addition to their maritime and fishing industry expertise, ABK candidates will also receive language training tailored to the countries they will work in. Trenggono believes this will help enhance the competitiveness of Indonesian ABK in the global workforce and reduce the risk of violence and exploitation, which have been reported among Indonesian ABK abroad.

“We often face issues where Indonesian ABK are involved in problems abroad, but we don’t have clear data on their skills or how they were recruited. By improving coordination and skills, we can reduce these issues,” Trenggono explained. He also mentioned that the collaboration with the P2MI will provide more career opportunities for graduates of KKP’s advocacy education programs.

Minister Karding expressed his appreciation for the KKP’s proactive efforts to protect Indonesian ABK. He highlighted that the joint efforts will include setting up a task force, synchronizing data on ABK, and mapping potential countries that require skilled ABK workers, such as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

The collaboration between KKP and P2MI also aims to curb the illegal recruitment of ABK, which often leads to unregulated and unsafe conditions. “Unregulated recruitment is risky and often leads to problems, such as crew members being abandoned at sea. This is the issue we aim to resolve by ensuring all ABK are properly registered and protected,” said Karding.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Ministers from both ministries: Didit Herdiawan Ashaf from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, and Christina Aryani and Dzulfikar Ahmad Tawalla from the Ministry of Migrant Worker Protection.

Source: kkp.go.id.

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesia is making significant strides in its bid to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), aiming to enhance its global role and support its Vision 2045 of becoming a high-income nation. Currently undergoing the accession process alongside countries like Argentina, Brazil, and Thailand, Indonesia is conducting a self-assessment of its policies, regulations, and national standards against OECD benchmarks, to be outlined in an Initial Memorandum.  

As part of this process, OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann visited Indonesia from November 25–28, 2024. His visit included a luncheon meeting with Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto on Wednesday, November 27. The discussions covered Indonesia's economic developments under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration and updates on the nation’s OECD membership progress.  

“I would like to thank the OECD for launching the Indonesia Report yesterday. Most of the issues have been reported to the President, and hopefully, some points align with the government’s plans, including the green energy roadmap, energy security, and the free nutritious food program, which is a priority,” said Minister Airlangga.  

Minister Airlangga emphasized Indonesia’s ongoing reforms across various sectors to align with OECD standards. These reforms involve adjustments in budget allocations and organizational structures by relevant ministries. He assured that the OECD task force would promptly adapt its framework to support these changes.  

Secretary-General Cormann acknowledged Indonesia's efforts, highlighting the mutual benefits of its accession. He noted that Indonesia’s pioneering role in the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement offers valuable insights for OECD members. “I believe that together, we can work to further enhance Indonesia’s growth. The accession process spans a wide range of economic, social, and environmental policies, focusing on identifying and applying global best practices,” he stated.  

The Secretary-General also expressed hope that Indonesia’s OECD membership would support its goal of achieving high-income status by 2045. He reiterated that the accession process provides a unique opportunity for Indonesia to refine its policies while contributing valuable lessons to the global community.  

During his visit, Secretary-General Cormann also attended the launch of *The OECD Economic Survey of Indonesia 2024* on November 26. This flagship publication offers a detailed analysis of Indonesia’s economic policies and performance, serving as a critical platform for dialogue between OECD and policymakers worldwide.  

The meeting was attended by prominent officials, including the Deputy Minister of Investment and Downstreaming, the Deputy Minister of National Development Planning, Indonesia's Ambassador to France and UNESCO, and other senior representatives from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and related institutions. Their presence underscored the significance of Indonesia's OECD membership aspirations in shaping its long-term economic trajectory.  

Source: ekon.go.id