Respond to #KaburAjaDulu, Professor of Economics and Development Studies at IPB University: Brain Drain is a Reality
The phenomenon of brain drain or the migration of skilled labor abroad has again become a hot topic of discussion in various media, marked by the emergence of the hashtag #KaburAjaDulu.
Responding to this, Professor of the Faculty of Economics and Management of IPB University, Prof Hermanto Siregar, assessed that in the era of better global connectivity, brain drain is a necessity.
He explained that brain drain is the phenomenon of the movement of educated or high-quality human resources (HR) from one country to another. The movement of human resources is generally from developing countries to developed countries where the welfare of the population is higher.
“In developed countries, which are the destination of the movement of quality human resources, the labor force is relatively scarce due to low or even negative population growth rates. While in developing countries such as India and Indonesia there is a very large labor force, but relatively few job opportunities,” he said.
Therefore, continued Prof Hermanto, as long as job opportunities are still relatively few, the labor force, especially qualified human resources in developing countries, will look for job opportunities with better income and work facilities in developed countries.
“Especially if the economic conditions in developing countries are stagnant or even worse. In other words, ‘brain drain’ is a rational response from the qualified workforce,” he said.
Prof Hermanto added that the hashtag “KaburAjaDulu” reflects this rational view or attitude. The expression or hashtag was uttered by relatively highly educated young people.
“They are essentially proposing a solution, that abroad there are opportunities to realize a better life. Not to demonize the conditions of the country, they just don’t want to burden the economy that has not been able to absorb our vast labor force,” he said.
If they have worked abroad, continued Prof Hermanto, it is very likely that some of their income will be sent to the country to help the economy of their parents or family.
“This is remittance or a form of foreign exchange, which certainly has a positive impact on the Indonesian economy,” he said.
In addition to these positive impacts, he said, young Indonesian human resources who are qualified to work abroad will certainly gain valuable experience from the entity where they work. They will gain knowledge or understanding of various business processes in these developed countries.
“When they return to Indonesia, they can apply these experiences and understandings, which will encourage better business practices,” he said.
So, said Prof Hermanto, the government or anyone else does not need to look negatively at the #KaburAjaDulu hashtag or the “brain drain” phenomenon.
“On the contrary, we should all appreciate our workforce who are currently and will work abroad, because they are the solution,” he said.
Likewise, young educated human resources who throw hashtags, Prof Hermanto argues that they do not create problems but look for job opportunities. Therefore, according to him, the government needs to support them.
“One form of support is to bridge them to find safe and good foreign employment opportunities for their future and welfare,” concluded Prof Hermanto. (dr) (IAAS/LAN)
