Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesia and Switzerland signed an agreement on young professional exchange at the Federal Palace in the capital city of Bern on Tuesday (Nov. 30).

The Young Professionals (YP) Agreement is a bilateral scheme of Indonesia-EFTA (European Free Trade Association) Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IE-CEPA).

"We hope this agreement provides benefits for both countries in improving work skills, especially for young professionals and increasing the availability of market access for Indonesian workers in EFTA countries," the Director General for Manpower Placement Development and Employment Opportunity Expansion at the Indonesian Ministry of Manpower, Suhartono, said through his statement received here on Saturday (Dec. 4).

The agreement was originally proposed by Indonesia in the IE-CEPA negotiations, aimed at providing quotas for young professionals to work in both countries to improve their skills.

The agreement document was signed by the Director General for Manpower Placement Development and Employment Opportunity Expansion at the Indonesian Ministry of Manpower, Suhartono and the Director of International Affairs, Swiss State Secretariat for Migration, Ministry of Justice and Federal Police, Vincenzo Mascioli.

The types of work in this collaboration include all professions and are carried out with an authorization process in accordance with the laws and regulations in force in the respective countries.

As many as 50 young professionals from both countries every year are eligible to take advantage of this agreement, and the number could increase to 100 per year based on mutual agreement.

Young professionals are expected to have completed professional training with a duration of not less than two years and have documents on completion of studies in a field relevant to the work.

With the fulfillment of these requirements, job opportunities in all professional fields that do not violate legal provisions in both countries are wide open.

After meeting the requirements, an authorization will be given to young professionals to work for a period of 12 months and can be extended for a maximum of six months.

The authorization granted to young professionals regarding entry and residence permits must comply with applicable regulations.

Furthermore, young professionals will work under employment contracts, which include rights and obligations, such as working conditions, salaries, and taxes in accordance with labor regulations in respective countries.

Reporting by Indonesia Window