davita
I'm confused by the latest comments in the news that the RI Gov't will no longer require Expats to be qualified in bahasa Indonesia prior to being eligible for employment.
My understanding is that requirement was only at the proposal level and not even a standard exam has yet been issued.
Has anyone been measured for this standard before getting an IMTA?
If so....what's the big deal that they've rescinded something that wasn't established in the first place...
It's the same with 'allowing foreign residents to own property'. What they seem to be hashing around is 'extended leases'.... as there is no comment to permit foreigners to own land. Owning a lease is NOT the same as owning a property....no matter the length of the lease.
Seems either the media, or the politicians, are as confused as I am.
davita
You're correct Nydave...the language requirement was passed into law which makes it more wierd as they never established how they were going to test for bahasa Indonesia. Now the President 'says' it is no longer required.
My understanding is that they will need to pass another law to rescind or the President needs to issue a directive (I've forgotten the name) which authorises the removal of the law.
No wonder the investors are fleeing...no-one seems to be in charge.
Fred2
My friends employer showed paper work that they were signed up to an Indonesian language course, no more questions asked.
Nydave
Im with Davita on this one,i too thought it was only in the discussion stage,but having read a couple of recent articles in the Globe it seems that it had actually passed and was active,So last week the president had a change of mind (again ?)and made it clear that speaking Indonesian would no longer be a factor in obtaining a work permit,however in todays Globe it seems that the minister over gas and mining says he will continue to enforce the speaking of Indonesian language in order to get a permit to work in that industry,
Makes me wonder who exactly is running this country,surely when the president says that the law has changed how can a guy further down the political ladder insist that he will do what he wants,
The same article says that the regulations of foreigners obtaining permits (which seemingly can now be done online)has in fact caused the process to become slower than before,high level management jobs are age given permits without much problems ,however mid management level jobs are the ones causing the delays,
Another article talks about the expat housing situation in Jakarta is in trouble,seems because of the law stating that everyone has to be paid in Rp,means that many expats are leaving which results in an abundance of expat type housing being vacant,it says that landlords are now offering all types on incentives to attract tenants,like lowering the price per month by as much as 20%,and offering furnished as opposed to unfurnished,also other small things like free laundry service and some other small services,
Nydave
I read somewhere that expats could do an online course provided by RI from their own country before arriving in Indonesia,i haven't researched it so really don't know if it was ever set up or was just more talk,however as of now it doesn't matter as they have done away with the regulation for now,but that could change again at any time,(remember the bikinis and beer issue),,something similar,every now and again it keeps coming back,
