VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Director 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)

Gender 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)

In 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)

Indonesian women must have the same opportunity as men’s to get kinds of jobs. The women must also have skill and capability to be equal with men. It was said by a researcher on Gender of Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) Nani Grace Simamora to RRI World Service Voice of Indonesia after a book launching of Gender and Science and Technology at Media Center of LIPI in Jakarta on Friday (16/03). Nani asked Indonesian women to keep working and showing their talent and capability to proof that they deserve to get equality and justice.

“Basically, equality means the same. The equality means that the opportunity of women to join military or other profession or jobs is based on their willingness and it must be as easy as the men. It must be like that. So, it is not only equality but also justice. It is important,” Nani Grace Simamora said.

Nani Grace Simamora also explained both men and women basically can choose jobs or professions they want. Nani hoped the people can respect all kinds of their professions wherever they work. (VOI/Ahmad Faisal/AHM)