JAKARTA - The arrival of 500 foreign workers (TKA) from China to the Southeast Sulawesi region in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic caused a polemic between the central and regional governments.
Kendari Mayor Sulkarnain Kadir said the local government would continue to reject these workers, even though the central government stated that hundreds of foreign workers had passed the administrative process and health checks.
"We have also received explanations from several parties, including immigration and the Ministry of Law and Human Rights. The administrative explanation is clear, medical examinations have also been carried out," said Sulkarnain in a discussion event broadcast on YouTube, Saturday, May 2.
This rejection was made because of the psychological aspects of society. According to him, it was unfair when he told the public to stay at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but at the same time foreign workers (TKA) from a country that was the epicenter of the virus started at the same time.
Sulkarnain also asked the central government to support local government policies in Southeast Sulawesi. The goal is to prevent a clash of regulations.
"Yes, I'm sorry, in quotation marks this virus originated from China, while the foreign workers who entered were from China, although again administratively sterile. So I think the central government is asking to help us in the regions so that there will be no collisions," he said.
He added that currently his party has closed access for foreign citizens who will make transit to protect their citizens. "Please if they want to enter, through other areas. What is important is my responsibility to protect the people of Kendari city," he said.
Special Staff to Vice President Ikhsan Abdullah who participated in the discussion said that his party agreed with what was conveyed by Sulkarnain. Seeing the polemic that is developing, he believes, there will be serious discussions later to consider the objections raised by the Regional Government in the Southeast Sulawesi region.
"The mayor's proposal is very logical. It should just be closed (access to foreign workers). Hopefully later this will be of special concern to the central government," said Ikhsan.
It is known, these foreign workers from China are workers who will be employed in nickel mining companies in Southeast Sulawesi, namely PT Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry and PT Obsidian Stainless Steel.
The rejection of the entry of foreign workers to the Southeast Sulawesi region was also conveyed by the Indonesian Parliament. Member of Commission IX DPR RI from the PDI-P Faction, Muchammad Nabil Haroen, said the planned arrival of 500 workers from China should be postponed. For those who have come in quarantine, he said, they must be sent back for reasons of health and safety.
The Ministry of Manpower (Kemenaker), said Nabil, must also investigate the deliberate factor of the influx of hundreds of foreign workers.
"Is there any intention or other mechanism so that Chinese foreigners can enter when the government implements a policy of closing airports and borders to prevent COVID-19. If there is, of course it must be prosecuted," he said.
Due to this incident, Nabil also asked the central government to regulate policies on domestic and foreign workers. Moreover, in the midst of a pandemic like this, quite a lot of people have to lose their jobs.
"Do not let the existing work be enjoyed by foreigners. We need to prioritize Indonesian workers and people," concluded Nabil.
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