Unacceptable, Minister Bahlil: I Do Not Tolerate Investors Who Bring In Unskilled Workers

JAKARTA - Investment Minister/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Bahlil Lahadalia, stressed to all foreign investors who will invest in Indonesia not to take workers carelessly. Bahlil emphasized that he would not tolerate investors who employ foreign workers who do not comply with the applicable conditions.

The existence of this rule, said Bahlil so that local people or residents do not become spectators of the flow of capital that comes to their area. All incoming investments will be fully allocated for the welfare of the surrounding community.

"I will never tolerate making an understanding to investors to open up opportunities for foreign workers who do not meet the requirements", he said in a virtual dialogue, in Jakarta, Wednesday, September 8.

Furthermore, Bahlil said that by the provisions in force in Indonesia, foreign workers can only occupy certain positions in a company. For example, such as experts or consultants whose positions cannot be filled by Indonesian workers. While the rest must be employed by Indonesians.

"Certain positions and others remain prioritized for Indonesian citizens because one of the goals of investment is how to create jobs", he said.

From the business side, said Bahlil, foreign investors are also required to cooperate with domestic entrepreneurs, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This step is to provide a double effect or multiplier effect from each invested capital.

"I don't want local people to only become objects rather than the presence of an investment. I want regions to become subjects and objects of development in an economic context", he said.