ANT, Andin Aditya Rahman

The government continues to be busy with preparation for the upcoming ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) that will come into effect late 2015.
Two sectors under the limelight are the labor and financial service sectors, under the authority of the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration (
Kemenakertrans) and the Financial Services Authority (OJK), respectively.
In the labor sector, the current attitude of the government is surprisingly different to its usual sluggishness. Haiyani Rumondag, Director of Organization and Familiarization of Industrial Relations at
Kemenakertrans, asserts that Indonesia’s labor force is ready to face the AEC as they possess the necessary competencies and can provide extra value-add.
“Upon entering the workforce, we have competencies that are developed by
Kemenakertrans,” stated Mrs. Rumondag, in Jakarta on Monday.
Despite the apparent readiness of the domestic labor sector, Mrs. Rumondag implored labor unions to further expand their members.
“It is not only the government, but the unions also have similar responsibilities. They must be organized and have good cooperation arrangements with entrepreneurs and the government,” added Haiyani.
Financial Services
While Kemenakertrans proclaimed that preparations for the AEC in their sector are complete, the OJK is still focusing on developing infrastructure regulations.
“The OJK will focus on the development of infrastructure regulations. This development is necessary, especially dealing with the AEC,” said Mulaiman D. Hadad, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the OJK on Monday.
Mr. Hadad continued that in addition to infrastructure regulations, the OJK is also looking into deepening the bond market as part of the Indonesian capital market system.
“A few deepening plans for the capital markets will still continue, including the development of debt securities,” he elaborated.
Mr. Hadad further stated that the OJK is currently focusing on reviewing regulations concerning the supervision of financial industries, specifically those of relevance to non-banking financial industries.
“We will hear input from experts and financial industry players. We will gather all of it. The second semester of this year will appear to be full of revisions to regulations,” predicted Mr. Hadad.
Such careful assessment, according to Mulaiman, will encourage foreign investment to flow into Indonesia through the financial services sector, which will bring about positive impacts on domestic economic growth.
(hot/kc)