In Reply to: Employment posted by anmar on Wednesday, 14. September 2005 at 11:26 Bali Time:
What work are you qualified for?
If you're just looking for any old work like hospitality or being a shop assistant, the going wage is slightly more than $2 a day. You get one day a week off. The problem is that foreigners can't get those jobs because there's 40 million unemployed in Indonesia already.
You have to be an "expert" to get a work visa. You need skills they don't have in Indonesia. The local company will have to pay $US100 per month for your visa, and you will be committed to a one-year contract.
If you have some specialist skills that are useful in Indonesia, your best bet is to join a multinational company that has a branch in Bali and then apply for a transfer. The problem is that there will be heaps of other people who had that idea first.
If you have no degree, do a one-month TESOL course and then you can work as an English teacher. It's just about the only way in for unskilled workers. Again, lots of people thought of it first, and there are very few jobs available. You might be able to get a volunteer position which pays a small stipend that will subsidise your stay. If you do happen to score a job in a private English school, the salary will be around 3 million rp per month (US$300, AU$400).
There are, however, plenty of teaching positions available in Java, especially Surabaya and Jakarta, which pay much better (probably 6-7 million Rp for a first-time teacher). Domestic flights are still pretty cheap despite the fuel price problems, so you'll be able to visit Bali on weekends and holidays, though you'll probably have to stay in much cheaper accommodation than you are used to.
In general, though, it's a much better idea to earn money at home and spend it in Indonesia. There's a reason everything is cheap there. It's because they all get paid bugger-all for working six days a week. The only rich folk are the owners of the businesses, and most of them are foreigners or mates/family of Suharto. Very few people get rich in Indonesia through hard work alone.
And that's the other way in -- save your pennies and start a business in Bali. Once again, heaps of people thought of it first, and it's a risky way to go.
There are websites devoted to people seeking work overseas, but they usually charge fees and they will rarely have any useful jobs in Bali.
Good luck, and feel free to ask any follow-up questions. But please try to give us the info we need to be able to help you properly.