New Manpower Law Requiring Indonesian Language Proficiency Test of Foreign Workers

[ScooterIndo]

It does seem especially bizarre to require "mastery" (or passing of a test) BEFORE acquisition of a work permit. Surely even those who view the law favorably (Scooter and travelingchez perhaps?) realize that you probably can't become competent until you've been living here a while. The law would make more sense if people had to pass a test after, for example, a year living in the country. I'm willing to bet that neither Scooter or travelingchez were competent speakers when they first set foot on Indonesian soil, is that correct? (And I believe you both have what is sometimes referred to as a "sleeping dictionary"* so you all have an unfair advantage )

* That term is not offensive, I hope! It's not meant to be.

I am so shocked and offended by that last comment

Seriously I am more offended when people assume that because my wife is Indonesian she taught me bahasa, as does she when they draw the same conclusion about her fluent English. After all we couldn't possibly have learnt independently could we ??

[Lauretta84]

New immigration policy from March2015

Hi all!
This is my first post on this forum. Currently I'm working as teacher in Jogjakarta with regular KITAS and the time for extension is getting closer (the expiry date is on March 31st).
Lately I've crashed on this page and I got worried
http://www.withoutalemon.com/2015/01...es-2015-brace/
It talks about a new policy for kitas/kitas extension concerning a:
- certification of fluency in bahasa indonesia
- a competence certificate for the applied position
Do you have more precise information about it? Does anyone know if this new regulation has been already applied or it's still a rumor?
Thank you for any info
Lauretta

[Puspawarna]

I am so shocked and offended by that last comment

Seriously I am more offended when people assume that because my wife is Indonesian she taught me bahasa, as does she when they draw the same conclusion about her fluent English. After all we couldn't possibly have learnt independently could we ??

Point taken! In fact, I generally assume that the Indonesian spouse knew English before meeting his/her foreign spouse, because they have to have had a "starter language" in common and English is more likely, since plenty of Indonesians speak English well and not so many foreigners speak Indonesian well. Yet, I personally know of situations where my assumption is flat-out incorrect; I have mixed couple friends that only communicate in Indonesian, where the Indonesian spouse speaks little to no English.

But you have to admit you have access to a resource that those of us in monolingual relationships don't have. You can't tell me you never asked your wife for help understanding Indonesian. And if you haven't, you are wasting her knowledge!

[akubrahat]

it would be pretty hard for an international school teacher to learn the language effectively. Working all day in English, coming home to an English speaking family, makes it hard to get the practice. The level of proficiency required is uncertain but to get past more than the basics of a language requires some immersion.

Does anyone have an idea of what the test has in it? Do we have to learn occupational specific things or is it a general test..... is it written or spoken....rumor is that inspectors are coming to workplaces to test expats. Anyone else heard this one?

Edit: I see this is answered in the JP article, the test is being developed and supposedly delivered online?

[ScooterIndo]

But you have to admit you have access to a resource that those of us in monolingual relationships don't have. You can't tell me you never asked your wife for help understanding Indonesian. And if you haven't, you are wasting her knowledge!

Absolutely I do as she still does to me. However that said, when we do this "what's the word for..." exchanges its pretty obvious her English will eat my Bahasa for breakfast.

[ScooterIndo]

"Jakarta. A draft government regulation that will require foreigners to master the Indonesian language before they are able to obtain a work permit here has elicited incredulity and skepticism from members of the local expatriate community, who responded to the announcement with criticism"

Note: In my previous argument that Expats should have Bahasa Indonesia skills, I was referring more to a basic understanding of the language (What's the time, how much does this cost, my name is, I am from, how are you, good morning/afternoon/evening, please, thank you, etc) and in no way would I expect anyone to "master" the language in such a short time. As much as I can speak Bahasa to a degree I still wouldn't profess to have "mastered the language" and still regularly ask what words mean or what's the word for....

[Happyman]

From a link posted by Lauretta84 : http://www.withoutalemon.com/2015/01...es-2015-brace/

"If we are to believe the article at this address, starting March 2015, something is about to hit the fan full speed -and I doubt it will leave everyone happy. 

The Indonesian government, apparently responding to multiple loophole abuses which have been going on for decades in its immigration system, is planning to tighten its focus on foreign workers, partly via a new set of revisions to the requirement needed to obtain a work permit (IMTA via KITAS).

Would the revisions be enforced, applicant to new visa or visa renewals will be expected to provide the following:

• A copy of their university degrees (minimum: 3 years degree)
• A competence certificate for the applied position (from a previous work place, I heard from a lawyer friend that recommendation letters might work)
• Success at an Indonesian language exam, which will be based upon the TOIFL test from Universitas Indonesia

If you’re currently holding (the hope of) a work permit, you then have until march to seek the required documents and hone your Indonesian language skills.
On the bright side, the application will be processed online, which will eliminate some practice which can actually get foreigners in serious trouble and speed up the process.
On the flip side, this news is susceptible to generate enough adrenalin in some readers to require a full year gym membership and a stock of real stiff liquors. I might sound snarky, but I do empathize.
I encourage you to spread the news wide and far, since it concerns more than 64000 registered foreign workers and a probably equally large amount of applicants seeking work in Indonesia.
Good luck!"

[Happyman]

From the link in the article above, google translated. http://www.beritasatu.com/ekonomi/23...indonesia.html

"Jakarta - Employment Minister M Hanif Dhakiri said it immediately memgimplementasikan government regulations related to foreign workers who work in Indonesia are required to master Indonesian.

"We expect February Pemenaker complete revision and test the ability of Indonesian could be implemented for the foreign workers (foreign workers) who want to work in Indonesia," said M Hanif Dhakiri Kemnaker Office, Jakarta, Friday (2/1).

Currently, the draft revision Permenakertrans No. 12 of 2013 on the Procedures for foreign manpower was at the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights for harmonization with other regulations.

Menaker said the draft revision Permenaker it continues to be discussed intensively with the involvement of internal party Kemnaker and relevant technical agencies to tighten the inflow of foreign workers to Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Indonesian ability test material discussed jointly by the Directorate General of Manpower Employment (Binapenta) Kemnaker with Language Development Institute, University of Indonesia which will be determined by the level of Indonesian ability to use test scores TOIFL (Test of Indonesian as Foreign Language).

In addition to testing the ability of Indonesian, in the draft revision TKA Permenaker it must also meet other requirements ie upload (upload) the licensing documents through the online system. "Other conditions that must be satisfied that the foreign workers are to have a minimum of a diploma or certificate S1 uploaded by foreign workers and include the test certificate of competency for each job title and description of work experience," said Hanif.

In addition, the foreign worker must be willing to make a statement to transfer its expertise to the Indonesian Workers (TKI) companion by the name, address, occupation, and employment contracts. These requirements shall not apply to foreign workers with the position of directors and commissioners named in the certificate of incorporation authorized by Kemenkumham and excluded also for foreign workers who worked as a post-sale service (after sales service) and impresario services.

Meanwhile, to improve services licensing process TKA, MOM requires the registration is done online and cut back on services for VISA wire service recommendation of approval to the work of Immigration (TA-01) from two days to one day.

Meanwhile, the use of foreign workers to fix the system and improve the competitiveness of Indonesian workers to withstand the onslaught of foreign workers entering Indonesia, the MOM said it will tighten oversight and enforcement of labor law in accordance with the rules of supervision by labor inspectors at central and local levels, as well as cooperate with the immigration authorities, police , and other related organizations.

Based on data Permit to Employ Foreign (IMTA) issued by the Ministry of Labor as of October 2014, there were 64 604 people working in the Indonesian foreign workers, declined compared to the year 2013 as many as 68 957 people and in 2012 as many as 72 427 people. TKA from China continued to dominate the number reached 15 341 people, Japan (10 183), and South Korea (7678), and India (4680), Malaysia (3779), and United States (2497).

From the category of job sectors, the majority of foreign workers in Indonesia are working in the service sector as many as 38 540 people, as many as 23 482 people industrial sector, and the rest of the agricultural sector as many as 2,582 people.

Author: PCN / PCN

Source: Antara"

[akubrahat]

So maybe we don't have to talk about fission track dating of stratigraphic sequences.... I can do this is a few languages but the Indonesians seem to prefer English! I have been to Indonesian run conferences, where the language of the conference is Indonesian!

I think proficiency will be more than a few sentences. Usually in proficiency tests the sitter has to be able to speak and write reasonably well. Its a lot more than asking a shopkeeper for a blue shirt.

[Puspawarna]

That degree requirement has been around for a while. It was a hassle for me a couple of years ago, because I tossed out my physical diplomas ages ago. Now it takes months and costs a fortune to get an actual physical diploma copy in the US, at least from the schools I graduated from. Some company has a lock on diploma verification; it is all done on-line. You pay the company a small fee and they will send an e-mail to whoever is checking on you that says "yes, it's true, so and is truly a graduate of school X, year Y, degree Z." However, I don't think Indonesian officials are on board with this.

I gave my agent the on-line information anyway, and the problem eventually went away. This may have something to do with why our agent is so expensive ...

[Happyman]

So, looks like the test will be based on the TOIFL. The Bahasa Indonesia name for TOIFL is UKBI ([FONT=arial]Uji Kemahiran Berbahasa Indonesia)[/FONT]. I can't find an official sample for this test. This is a blog posting someone made, which he says is an example of test materials: http://nagasayekti.blogspot.com/2012...-tes-ukbi.html

[nd_eric_77]

Based on data Permit to Employ Foreign (IMTA) issued by the Ministry of Labor as of October 2014, there were 64 604 people working in the Indonesian foreign workers, declined compared to the year 2013 as many as 68 957 people and in 2012 as many as 72 427 people. TKA from China continued to dominate the number reached 15 341 people, Japan (10 183), and South Korea (7678), and India (4680), Malaysia (3779), and United States (2497).

This part blows my mind. The United States has at least 600,000 documented foreign workers at any given time, but only 40% more people than Indonesia has. That is to say nothing of the 12 million+ undocumented workers. And yet people act as if Indonesia were threatened by < 75,000 documented foreign workers???

[Happyman]

Found a sample test: http://badanbahasa.kemdikbud.go.id/u...p/sekilas-ukbi I missed the button before. You need to click on the green box in the upper right hand corner. Note that this is the test they are thinking of basing the examination of foreigners on, not necessarily the examination they will use. (I hope it is a bit easier.)

[Jaime C]

This part blows my mind. The United States has at least 600,000 documented foreign workers at any given time, but only 40% more people than Indonesia has. That is to say nothing of the 12 million+ undocumented workers. And yet people act as if Indonesia were threatened by < 75,000 documented foreign workers???

I agree with you mostly. If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say that Indonesia is trying to keep some high paying jobs for Indonesians. Excluding some of the EF style teachers, I'd guess that many of the expats working are pulling in salary and benefits in the 100k per year or more range. That's a good 10-20 times the average Indonesian salary.

If they let foreign doctors in, then prescriptions of antibiotics would plummet, and everyone would only want a western doctor.

[Happyman]

I agree with you mostly. If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say that Indonesia is trying to keep some high paying jobs for Indonesians. Excluding some of the EF style teachers, I'd guess that many of the expats working are pulling in salary and benefits in the 100k per year or more range. That's a good 10-20 times the average Indonesian salary.

If they let foreign doctors in, then prescriptions of antibiotics would plummet, and everyone would only want a western doctor.

That's a decent wage... Are there openings available? Is this a "selling your body" sort of thing? Because, to be honest, the only thing I am willing to part with is one broken toe. It's still a nice toe though, comes with a rag. Are there openings available for my toe in the mining industry?