Indonesia Discusses Worker Protection with South Korea

Jakarta, MINA – Bilateral meeting between Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs (FM), Retno L.P. Marsudi and South Korean FM Kang Kyung-hwa on Monday, discussed number of issues related to two countries, including the issue of protecting Indonesian workers in the country.

“I emphasize that the protection of our Indonesian workers in South Korea is very important. At present, there are around 36 thousand Indonesians working in South Korea, “FM Retno said after holding a Join Commission Meeting with South Korean FM at Pancasila Building, Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta, Monday.

Majority of Indonesian migrant workers in South Korea are workers in fisheries sector and the focus of Indonesian government is to provide protection for them.

“I really hope that the finalization of framework of Memorandum of Understanding on Employment Permit System (EPS) will soon be completed by our PMI working in the fisheries sector,” said FM Retno.

Through EPS, Indonesian migrant workers are guaranteed and protected by South Korean labor law, as well as the status of South Korean society itself. They will get insurance coverage, housing, meals, and monthly salary is equivalent to the salary of the local community.

Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-hwa, who is the first woman South Korean Foreign Minister appreciated Indonesia’s cooperation and support for South Korea so far, especially regarding the issue of de-nuclearization of Korean Peninsula. (L/Sj/P2)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)