Starting next year, the government will require all foreign workers to pass an Indonesian language proficiency test in order to obtain work permits.

The requirement was aimed indirectly at reducing the flow of foreign workers into the country, Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Fahmi Idris told The Jakarta Post at the State Palace recently, with Indonesia intending to liberalize its labor sector under international agreements.

The government is to start opening its doors to job seekers from countries grouped within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year, and in 2008 for those from outside ASEAN as mandated by the World Trade Organization (WTO).

"Foreign workers must master the Indonesian language before they can work here, as well as Indonesians to master English before working abroad. This is to ensure that jobs that could be carried out by Indonesians don't fall to foreigners," said Fahmi.

He added that the language proficiency test would be carried out by the National Certification Agency for Workers, which would be officially opened this month, in cooperation with related ministries.

The agency, which will be under the auspices of the manpower ministry, would serve as a certificate issuer for both domestic and foreign managerial and professional workers, as well as for medium and low-skilled workers.

The agency will create standard qualifications for foreign workers who are wishing to secure a job in Indonesia, as well as preparing local workers to qualify for working standards overseas.

However, the policy could mean undesirable consequences and inevitable fees for the approximately 130,000 foreigners working in the country, as well as affecting foreign investment that is badly needed to help drive economic growth.

If the proficiency test is made mandatory, foreign workers will have no choice but to learn Indonesian.

"The government is not trying to create barriers for foreign workers or trying to discriminate against them. We just want to create similar treatment for both local and foreign workers," claimed Fahmi.

The plan to require a language proficiency test was first discussed in mid 2003, with the Ministry of Education planning to launch a test similar to the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

The test would not only be imposed on those wanting to work here, but also upon those coming to Indonesia to study. Testing would be conducted at Indonesian embassies.