Jakarta. Businesses are open to the idea of paid internships, according to its lobby group, as the government pushes companies to not only accept fresh graduates as interns, but also pay them.

Senior minister Airlangga Hartarto recently pitched the idea of having a six-month internship for the country’s fresh graduates during a meeting with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin).

However, the government demanded that these interns receive payment, even though it was not at a salary as high as that of full-time employees. Kadin’s chair, Anindya Bakrie, later told the press that companies actually did not mind having paid interns, as long as they could be a boon to business productivity.

“I think we just need to discuss the details. At the end of the day, it’s all about business productivity. If the interns can boost productivity, companies will certainly be open to assessing the payment scheme. This way, the [interns] can also make some income,” Anindya said in Jakarta on Thursday.  

The businessman added, “I think it’s fine, just discuss the details so it’s a win-win for both the businesses and the interns. And this will make businesses more competitive.”

Earlier that day, Airlangga said the government wished to propose the internship program as the students would soon graduate and have their bachelor's degrees. “So if they can’t enter [your companies], perhaps these [fresh graduates] can do an internship first. And please pay them, it’s okay if it isn’t a full salary.”

Unpaid internship offers have sparked massive criticisms among internet users, who expressed fear that companies are trying to get free labor in the guise of experience. Indonesia faces a mismatch between skills and the industry, putting many of its young talents unemployed. Some Indonesian youths have flown abroad for internship programs, with Japan being a popular destination. However, Indonesia wants Japan to shorten its internship to no more than a year.

“We have no problem with internships, but please. … If it goes on for three years, that’s cheap labor," Migrant Worker Protection Minister Abdul Kadir Karding said recently.