Minister Negotiates Job Opportunities For Indonesian Graduates In Japan

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The Indonesian government is negotiating employment opportunities for Indonesian apprenticeship program graduates in Japan, especially in preparation for the Summer Olympics in 2020.

"We are lobbying with the Japanese government regarding employment opportunities for interns looking to work in the construction and tourism industry ahead of the Summer Olympics in Japan in 2020," the Minister of Employment, M. Hanif Dhakiri said on Thursday.

Dakhiri had held a bilateral meeting with the Japanese Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, Yasuhisa Shiozaki in Tokyo, Japan on Monday to discuss the issue.

The Indonesian government has also requested additional quotas for the apprenticeship program participants in Japan to improve the quality and working competence of Indonesian apprentices in the country.

Dakhiri said the discussion about job opportunities in the construction and the tourism industry sectors was based on the Indonesia Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (IJEPA) scheme.

 "Under the IJEPA scheme, the two countries will cooperate for the placement of Indonesian nurses and caregivers in Japan. We are currently seeking employment in the construction and tourism industry sectors in Japan," he said.

The job opportunity in the construction and tourism industry sectors in Japan is expected to be facilitated through the re-entry of an apprenticeship program.

The re-entry apprenticeship program can be used by those, who have completed a three-year apprenticeship program, but is reserved for graduate trainees in the construction and tourism industry sectors.

"Japan welcomes our proposal to open more job opportunity for Indonesians. There will be a technical discussion to follow up this bilateral meeting. We hope this program can be realized," Dakhiri said. (WDY)