"In this more modern and open era, we certainly need foreign workers whose skills and expertise we may not possess," Kalla said,Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Vice President Jusuf Kalla has called on the public to not be averse to appointing foreigners with special skills in leadership positions at state-owned enterprises (BUMN).
"In this more modern and open era, we certainly need foreign workers whose skills and expertise we may not possess," the vice president informed newsmen here on Tuesday.
Kalla made the remark in response to State Enterprises Minister Rini M. Soemarnos plan to offer opportunities to skilled foreign workers to occupy director-level positions at the BUMN.
The vice president noted that although it was still a discourse, it was not improbable that foreign workers could occupy important positions at the BUMN.
According to him, foreign workers could also work as consultants or expert staff in state-owned companies.
Kalla emphasized that Indonesia should not close employment opportunities to foreign workers as several Indonesians too were employed abroad.
"We do know how many Indonesians are working abroad, and many of them hold strategic positions there," the vice president remarked.
He pointed out that if foreigners were prohibited from working in Indonesia then our citizens too could be banned from working abroad.
"If we become averse to appointing foreign workers, then it would really prove to be detrimental to us. In reality, we also need foreign workers who are really professional in their fields," Kalla noted.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
