Yogyakarta- Hundreds of former Indonesian workers in Korea, particularly in Yogyakarta, actually still face obstacles and constraints after going back to Indonesia. At least, there are two problems related to capital and skills. Due to limited capital and skills, many of them return to Korea and do not develop a business in Indonesia. “Finally, many of them go back to Korea and do not want to develop business in Indonesia,” said Head of Center for Asia Pacific Studies UGM, Prof. Dr. P.M. Laksono in National Seminar about Former Indonesian Workers in Korea in Yogyakarta in Economic, Social and Cultural Changes in Rural Level that was conducted at Multimedia Room UGM, Wednesday (16/2).
Laksono added that the condition should lead the government to facilitate the former Indonesian workers in order that they do not become “labors” in foreign countries. Laksono admitted that problem of capital and skills are still a priority to be solved, so the former Indonesian workers will have power. “If they must go back to foreign countries, they should have power,” he said.
Meanwhile, another researcher of the Center, Ratih Pratiwi Anwar, S.E., M.Si., added that the research they conducted from July 2010-January 2011 showed that the former Indonesian workers in Korea in Yogyakarta is mainly from the lower class community, few of them are from the upper class in social structure. Besides, there is the tendency to experience social mobility vertically after returning from Korea. “The research actually also shows several cultural changes among respondents in their working attitude after they returned from Korea: they are more disciplined, diligent, hard working, and timely,” Ratih explained.
Ratih added that mostly the workers have already had adequate salary and able to create job though relatively limited for their main family. Therefore, a training or technical assistance program which are suitable to their fields and financial support need to be given in the future.
In the same place, Heri Pralistyo, Chairman of Former Indonesian Workers in Korea Association of Yogyakarta admitted the lack of capital and skills which may support economic independence of the workers. To get more capital, many of them expect to work in Korea again. “Many of them took a test last December, but very few have been accepted to work back in Korea,” Heri said.
So far, they have developed a business in many sectors, in agriculture, husbandry, trade, or service. Many of them can create job so it can reduce unemployment in villages.
Meanwhile, related to twin provincial cooperation between Yogyakarta and Kyongsangbuk-do Korea, this Association is exploring cooperation opportunities in manpower. “Cooperation between the two provinces is expected to help accelerate economic recovery in Yogyakarta, particularly in Turi sub- district, Sleman,” Heri finished.