"We want to propose to the Joko Widodo government, particularly the Transportation Ministry and Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, to impose a moratorium on sending Indonesian ship crews to foreign countries," Chief of the agency Nusron Wahid said here on Friday.
Nusron put forth his suggestion following the death of 13 Indonesian crew members who worked for South Korean vessel Oryong 501 that sank in Russian waters in December 2014.
Nusron said that sending Indonesian crews to foreign countries will trigger problems for citizens as well as the government.
The Chief noted that the Indonesian crews working in foreign countries are paid smaller salaries and are susceptible to get entangled in legal issues.
According to the agency, Indonesian crews might be exposed to legal sanctions if their vessels are seized for poaching and the owners of vessels might neglect their crews.
The agency pointed out that at least 17 thousand Indonesians work in foreign ships during a year and that has been frequently causing problems.
Nusron suggested all Indonesian crews to work and develop the fisheries sector in their home country instead.
The Chief expressed hope to soon find more victims of Oryong.
Of a crew of 60 aboard the ill-fated Oryong 501 vessel, 35 were Indonesian nationals.
Until now, 16 bodies of Indonesian nationals have been identified. While 13 bodies have been repatriated since early Friday, three more bodies will arrive in Jakarta on Friday night.
The 13 bodies were repatriated from Busan, South Korea, to Indonesia on Friday at 2:50 a.m. local time, and were officially received by Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi.
(Uu.B019/INE/KR-BSR/H-YH)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
