VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

People watch as the night sky is illuminated caused by the eruption of a volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula of south-west Iceland seen from the capital city of Reykjavik on Dec 18, 2023. (Photo: AP/Brynjar Gunnarsson) - 

REYKJAVIK: A volcanic eruption began on Monday (Dec 18) night in Iceland, south of the capital Reykjavik, following an earthquake swarm, Iceland's Meteorological Office said. For weeks, the Nordic country has been on high alert for a potential eruption at any moment after a period of intense seismic activity on the southwest peninsula, which last month prompted evacuation orders.

"At 22.17 this evening, a volcanic eruption began north of Grindavik on the Reykjanes peninsula," the IMO said, adding that it could be seen from nearby webcams.

The live-streamed footage of the eruption showed large jets of glowing orange lava spewing into the night sky, surrounded by billowing red smoke.

"A Coast Guard helicopter will take off shortly to confirm the exact location and size of the eruption," the IMO said.

In November, thousands of small earthquakes rattled the region south of Reykjavik. The roughly 4,000 residents of Grindavik, a fishing port around 40km from the capital, were evacuated on Nov 11 after officials determined a tunnel of magma was shifting beneath them, considered a precursor to an eruption.

Residents told AFP the seismic activity had damaged roads and buildings. Since then, they have only been allowed to visit their homes during certain daylight hours. Authorities have organised occasional trips into the village, escorting those with homes in the most perilous parts to rescue everything from cherished pets to photo albums, furniture and clothing.

Volcanic eruptions are not uncommon in Iceland, which is home to 33 active volcano systems, the highest number in Europe. But the Reykjanes peninsula had not experienced an eruption for eight centuries until 2021.

Since then, three eruptions have struck - all in remote, uninhabited areas - and volcanologists say this could be the start of a new era of activity in the region. Previous eruptions near the Fagradalsfjall volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula took place in 2021, 2022 and earlier this year.

In 2010, the eruption of Iceland's long-dormant Eyjafjallajokull volcano - an ice-capped volcano more than 1,660 metres tall - shot huge amounts of ash into the atmosphere. That massive, explosive eruption was not fatal, but forced the cancellation of around 100,000 flights and left more than 10 million travellers stranded.

Situated in the North Atlantic, Iceland straddles the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a crack in the ocean floor separating the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates//CNA-VOI

Bank Indonesia's logo is seen at Bank Indonesia headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia, September 2, 2020. REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana/file photo - 

Voinews, Jakarta - Bank Indonesia will maintain its key policy rate for a second month on Thursday as inflation is within its target range and the rupiah has stabilised, showed a Reuters poll of economists who forecast the first cut to be in the third quarter of 2024.

Inflation has stayed within the central bank's 2023 2 per cent to 4 per cent target range for sixth consecutive months despite an uptick in inflation last month.

The rupiah has gained nearly 2 per cent since a surprise rate hike in October, easing pressure on imported prices.

Governor Perry Warjiyo recently said the policy rate would be on hold into next year as it was restrictive enough to keep inflation within the bank's 1.5 per cent to 3.5 per cent target for 2024 and the rupiah would become more stable as the U.S. Federal Reserve was widely expected to start policy easing next year.

All 28 economists in the Dec. 11-18 poll expected Bank Indonesia (BI) to hold its benchmark seven-day reverse repurchase rate at 6.00 per cent at the conclusion of its Dec. 20-21 meeting.

"Bank Indonesia will likely remain on hold ... given manageable inflation and currency movement. Although we expect inflation to remain comfortably within the bank's new inflation target next year, risks are tilted to the upside," said economist Makoto Tsuchiya at Oxford Economics.

"We expect the rupiah strength to partly reverse towards the end of the year, (but) we think another hike is unlikely. The next move will likely be a cut. BI will likely shift its focus to a growth picture gradually towards the middle of the year."

Median forecasts showed the key interest rate unchanged until at least the end of the second quarter of 2024, followed by a 50 basis-point cut in the third quarter to end the year at 5.50 per cent.

For the second quarter next year, 10 of 22 respondents saw rates at 5.75 per cent or lower. Only eight had that view in a November poll.

Nearly all economists said the next move from BI would be a cut. Among those who provided third-quarter forecasts, 15 of 19, or over 75 per cent, expected the rate to be 5.75 per cent or lower, while four saw it at 6.00 per cent.

"The dovish tone emerging from the recent Fed meeting should be good news for BI. We expect the central bank to remain on hold for the next few months rather than opt to reverse the unexpected October hike and we do not rule out the bank opting for a rate cut earlier than we have been expecting," said economist Kunal Kundu at Societe Generale.

"What above-target inflation might mean is a shallow easing trajectory. In fact, with growth yet to be on a strong footing and a national election looming next year, there is every case for monetary policy to be supportive of the economy. Hence, the next policy rate change will be a cut."

Warjiyo put Indonesia's GDP growth outlook within a range of 4.7 per cent to 5.5 per cent for 2024 and 4.8 per cent to 5.6 per cent for 2025. However, headwind was still expected from weakening global economic growth//VOI

Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Agency (BP2MI) with support from the International Agency for Migration (IOM), held an event at the Indoor Tennis Court. Senayan, Jakarta. Attended by Indonesian Vice President Ma'aruf Amin -  

Voinews, Jakarta - In commemoration of International Migrant Day which falls on December 18 2023, the Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Agency (BP2MI) with support from the International Agency for Migration (IOM), held an event at the Indoor Tennis Court. Senayan, Jakarta. This event was attended by more than 5000 Indonesian migrant workers and their families.

This event aims to increase synergy between government agencies and other stakeholders in advocating for the rights of migrant workers and protecting them from all discrimination and exploitation abroad.

"BP2MI is optimistic that cooperation from relevant stakeholders will accelerate efforts to empower and improve the welfare of Indonesian Migrant Workers and their families. "Through this event we invite all stakeholders and the general public to side with migrant workers," said Benny Rhamdani, Head of BP2MI.

Indonesia is one of the largest source countries for migrant workers in the world. Based on the latest data from BP2MI in 2022, Malaysia is still the most popular destination country for Indonesian migrant workers abroad. It is recorded that more than 60,000 Indonesian Migrant Workers work in Malaysia in the domestic, plantation, construction and manufacturing sectors.

Despite these numbers, migrant workers often still experience workplace abuse, exploitation and stigma. Additionally, as they migrate to other countries for work, they are often placed on temporary contracts that expose them to greater risks of uncertainty, layoffs, and poor working conditions.

"Six years since the passing of the Law on the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, namely Law No. 18 of 2017, IOM continues to rely on our expertise to support the Indonesian Government in encouraging synergy between labor migration and development, as well as in encouraging regular pathways for labor migration . "In this case, we appreciate BP2MI's strong commitment as one of the leading institutions that continues to improve protection for Indonesian migrant workers, through developing policies and programs that provide effective protection and assistance to Indonesian Migrant Workers and their families," according to Jeffrey Labovitz, IOM Head of Mission Indonesia, in his remarks.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia oin Tuesday, at this event, BP2MI will also introduce the Pre-Departure Orientation module developed by IOM and the International Labor Organization (ILO) with support from the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF). This module was developed to provide migrant workers with information about their rights, working and living conditions abroad, as well as access to support and complaints mechanisms if necessary.

This module is specifically designed for migrant workers who wish to migrate to Malaysia specifically to work in the palm oil sector.

This year's celebration event was also attended by the Vice President of Indonesia, Mr Ma'ruf Amin, who highlighted the importance of the pre-departure process.

“It is the government's obligation to equip migrant workers with technical and language skills, so that they can take advantage of the many job opportunities abroad. Pre-departure orientation is important not only to prepare skilled workers, but also to prevent them from becoming victims of human trafficking. On this occasion, I invite all relevant stakeholders to work together to combat human trafficking and improve protection and services for Indonesian Migrant Workers."

On International Migrants Day, IOM focuses on promoting the power of migration as a solution to global challenges, including providing better economic opportunities for people. IOM emphasizes that everyone can be part of the solution and that collective action today will prepare for a better future//VOI

VOINews.id: ASEAN and Japan have agreed on several shared visions and future partnership implementation plans. Indonesian President Joko Widodo said that in a joint statement at a summit commemorating 50 years of ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation on Sunday (17/12/2023).