http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015 … oyees.html
At least 500 workers who are members of several labor unions in Cilacap regency, Central Java, staged a rally on Tuesday to reject the government's policy to ease requirements for foreign employees seeking jobs in Indonesia. -
....“In Cilacap, there are hundreds of foreign workers. They are very exclusive people. They don't want to be acquainted with us. They are living in luxurious hotels while our salaries are far from enough to cover just our basic needs,” said Darmono, 34
Two thoughts come to mind.
Blind nationalism, without the slightest thought for the damage they will do to their companies is very silly, but can spread easily. The foreigners are usually there to engage in activities the locals are as yet unable to do, usually expertise in a given industry and/or their ability to communicate with foreign buyers. If these people were removed, the factories would probably have a very hard time doing business, but jealousy doesn't allow for rational thought.
Much of the problem is the poor state of the English language in Indonesia, and that requires more native English speaking teachers, and a will from the government.
Neither seems to be happening as the government is making life difficult for the very people they most urgently need.
Foreigners making themselves part of the community makes for good relationships with the local population.
Sitting in some fancy tower block, being driven to work in a car the locals can't even hope to afford, then hanging in an office all day with no attempt to understand the people under you is a recipe for trouble.
Dudes - get out there and take part in local events, get to know the people around you.
You'll have a far better time and this silly hate/jealousy/whatever will be avoided.
Should the Indonesian language requirement be scrapped? Yes
Should foreigners learn it anyway? Yes
Making fluent Indonesian a requirement would stop the experts coming to Indonesia, but they really need to interact with the community if they want to fully experience all that Indonesia has to offer - and that's a lot.