Foreign Workers Are Rising In Bali, Deputy Governor Cok Ace Makes Sure Those Who Violate Will Be Penalized

Bali Deputy Governor Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati (Cok Ace)/PHOTO: Dafi-VOI

DENPASAR - Bali Deputy Governor (Wagub) Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati responded to the rise of foreign workers in Bali, especially in the tourism sector.

"We have held a coordination meeting related to the rise of foreign workers. Indeed, we still need foreign workers. There are very many Mandarin guides in Bali, but of course, we do not allow violations to occur, meaning that people who have the right to operate can do so," he said, Monday, February 27th.

Cok Ace, his nickname, said that the Provincial Government of Bali had taken a quick step by recruiting legal guides. Even inviting local residents to become guides for Mandarin tourists.

According to him, foreign workers who do not have legality will certainly violate it and will be followed up immediately, one of the steps will be a meeting with the Bali Satpol PP.

Apart from the Mandarin guide, Cok Ace also commented on the issue of tourists working as photographers for weddings for tourists from their own country.

"When it comes to shooting weddings, it's very difficult, sometimes there are couples who do their weddings in Bali or just for the reception, they usually invite a photographer, because he thinks that only this photographer understands his culture and takes good angles," he said.

As long as the tourist fulfills the work requirements and permits related to the equipment carried and has coordinated with immigration, the Deputy Governor has no problem with this.

In contrast to the appearance of foreign nationals giving driving training to friends from their countries and asking for payment, Cok Ace said that they came from Russia and Ukraine.

"That's actually illegal, especially now seeing the world's conditions that are happening, compared to Bali which is safe, comfortable, and cheap. That's why we have to move, I hear that a lot of them are also involved in trading, selling vegetables to their friends, he takes in the market. We haven't acted on this yet," said Cok Ace.