Permanent Visas for the Indonesian Diaspora
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Posted on 19 July 2024

What is the government's plan?

The Indonesian government is considering a proposal to grant permanent visas to members of the Indonesian diaspora and children of mixed-nationality marriages, who currently face many barriers to living and working in the country. The proposal, which was submitted by the Indonesian Diaspora Network (IDN), aims to ensure the rights and opportunities of these groups, who often have strong ties and contributions to Indonesia.

Why is this important?

According to the IDN, there are about 10 million Indonesians living abroad, and about 4 million children of mixed-nationality marriages who have Indonesian ancestry. These groups have valuable skills, experiences, and networks that can benefit Indonesia's economy and society. However, under the current laws, they have to deal with many challenges, such as obtaining visas, work permits, education, health care, and property ownership. This discourages many of them from returning or investing in Indonesia, and limits their potential to contribute to the country's development.

What are the benefits of permanent visas?

By granting permanent visas to the diaspora and children of mixed-nationality marriages, the government can create a more inclusive and diverse society, and attract more talent and investment to Indonesia. Some of the benefits of permanent visas are:

  • They can increase the supply and quality of human capital, as more skilled and educated workers can enter the labor market and fill the gaps in various sectors.

  • They can stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship, as more diaspora members can start or join businesses in Indonesia, and bring new ideas, technologies, and markets.

  • They can enhance cultural and diplomatic relations, as more diaspora members can act as bridges and ambassadors between Indonesia and other countries, and promote mutual understanding and cooperation.

  • They can foster social cohesion and national identity, as more diaspora members can participate in the civic and cultural life of Indonesia, and feel a sense of belonging and loyalty to the country.

Filling The Talent Gap

One of the challenges that Indonesia faces as a developing country is the shortage of talent and skills in many sectors, especially in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. According to the World Economic Forum, Indonesia ranks 65th out of 133 countries in terms of human capital development, and only 7% of its workforce has a university degree. The change in law that allows for the diaspora can be a benefit to employers who struggle to find skilled and experienced professionals who can contribute to the growth and innovation of their businesses. By opening the door for the diaspora to work in Indonesia, the government is creating a pool of talent that can enrich the local workforce with their global perspective, diverse expertise and cultural sensitivity.

 What do the stakeholders say?

The proposal to grant permanent visas to the diaspora and children of mixed-nationality marriages has received positive feedback from various stakeholders, including business leaders, academics, civil society groups, and diaspora members themselves. Here are some of their opinions:

  • Andrew Hairs, CEO of Select Headhunter, a recruitment agency that specializes in hiring Indonesian talent, said: "My children are currently in education in Australia and under the current laws, they are more than likely to seek employment in Australia where they have the right to education and work. Unless the laws change, it is unlikely they will return to Indonesia to work as getting sponsorship at a junior level is very difficult. Having the right to work in Indonesia at least keeps the door open to bringing the skills and experience they are developing overseas back to Indonesia instead of being lost forever."

  • Rini Soemarno, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, said: "We need to tap into the potential of the diaspora, who have proven their achievements and competencies in various fields. They can help us improve the performance and competitiveness of our state-owned enterprises, and also create more opportunities for collaboration and partnership with foreign entities."

  • Dino Patti Djalal, founder and chairman of the IDN, said: "We are very happy and grateful that the government is listening to our voice and taking our proposal seriously. This is a historic moment for the diaspora and the nation. We hope that this will be a win-win solution for everyone, and that we can work together to make Indonesia a better place for all."

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