US Accuses Of Forced Work In Nickel Industry, Bahlil: Nothing!

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia. (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia strongly denied allegations related to forced labor in the Indonesian nickel industry.

Bahlil said the accusation was just a black campaign to damage Indonesia's reputation in the eyes of the world.

"There is no forced labor. I almost every month, when I went to the Minister of Investment, I went down to the location," said Bahlil, quoted on Friday, October 11.

Just so you know, the allegations related to forced labor are based on the Global State of Child and Forced Labor report published by the US Department of Manpower on September 5, 2024.

Bahlil assessed that the report was only a form of a black campaign.

"It's just a black campaign, really, it's just a black campaign, this is geopolitical. Don't worry," said Bahlil.

According to him, the black campaign came from other countries that felt great but not better than Indonesia.

"In other countries, those who feel all are the greatest, apologize, they are not better than us," he continued.

With this accusation, Bahlil believes that in the future Indonesia can become a developed country by utilizing the capabilities and wealth of its natural resources.

"Be sure, that in the future Indonesia will become a good country with high per capita income, high GDP, and we can become the number 10 country best in the GDP," said Bahlil.

Previously, the Deputy Minister for International Labor Affairs, the US Department of Manpower, Thea Lee, stated that nickel downstreaming in Indonesia occurred due to forced labor.

Lee accused foreigners from China of being recruited to work in Indonesia, based on reports from non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

However, when they arrived in Indonesia, workers actually got a lower wage than promised with longer working hours to get verbal and physical violence as punishment.