VOINews, Bulgaria: The Indonesian Ambassador to Bulgaria, Albania, and North Macedonia, Iwan Bogananta, has opened new avenues for Indonesian workers by facilitating a meeting between the Bali Institute of Tourism and International Business (IPBI) and a labor agency, PT Bali Duta Mandiri (BDM), with companies in Bulgaria on Saturday. This initiative aims to explore opportunities for Indonesian workers in Bulgaria’s formal employment sector.
According to a release from the Indonesian Embassy in Sofia, the visit by IPBI Rector I Made Sudjana and PT BDM Director I Nyoman Gede Astina took place in June. They discussed the possibility of Indonesian workers filling the labor shortage in Bulgaria, a country currently facing a significant workforce deficit.
“I, along with the Indonesian Embassy team in Sofia, invited IPBI and PT BDM to Sofia to explore the possibility of sending Indonesian workers to Bulgaria. They met directly with employers and Bulgarian agencies to exchange information and understand the procedures and mechanisms for sending workers to Bulgaria,” said Iwan.
Bulgaria is currently experiencing a substantial labor shortage, with an estimated 400,000 workers needed to fill the gap. This shortage is partly due to many university graduates choosing to work in Western Europe, where salaries are higher.
“This is a significant opportunity for Indonesia to create more jobs, given the limited employment opportunities available domestically,” Iwan added.
Iwan emphasized the importance of careful monitoring and mutual respect for the regulations and laws of both countries when sending Indonesian workers to Bulgaria. He highlighted the role of the Indonesian Embassy in safeguarding Indonesia's interests and ensuring early protection for Indonesian workers who will be employed in Bulgaria.
“The involvement and role of the Indonesian Embassy from the outset are crucial. We need to understand the background of the recruiting agencies and employers, as well as the contracts that will be signed. This way, if any issues arise, the Embassy will be well-informed,” Iwan explained.
Iwan also stressed that the Indonesian Embassy should not merely be a place to resolve cases and disputes without knowing the origins and arrival times of Indonesian migrant workers in the accredited countries.
In response, PT BDM Director Astina expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Iwan for his innovation and ability to seize this opportunity.
“This visit is a follow-up to Ambassador Iwan Bogananta’s visit to IPBI in Bali. We are here to present the capabilities and potential of IPBI and its alumni to Bulgarian employers and agencies,” Astina said.
Astina mentioned that IPBI graduates are already working in several countries, including Japan, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, with Bulgaria being their next target.
The visit by IPBI and PT BDM to Bulgaria resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for labor supply cooperation between PT BDM and Balkan Fortune, a Bulgarian labor agency. This agreement marks a significant step in expanding job opportunities for Indonesian workers in Bulgaria./ANTARA/VOI
