Regarding Foreign Workers Entering South Sulawesi During The COVID-19 Pandemic, This Is The Explanation From The Ministry Of Manpower

Head of the Ministry of Manpower's Public Relations Bureau, Chairul Fadly Harahap. (Photo ANTARA/Humas Ministry of Manpower)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Manpower continues to coordinate with the Directorate General of Immigration and the Regional Government through the Manpower Superintendent of the Manpower and Transmigration Office of South Sulawesi Province regarding information on the arrival of 20 foreign workers from China at Sultan Hasanudin Airport, South Sulawesi, Saturday, July 3. Moreover, the entry of foreign workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia is still the concern of all parties.

The Head of the Ministry of Manpower's Public Relations Bureau, Chairul Fadly Harahap, explained, based on the results of coordination with the Manpower Inspector of the Manpower and Transmigration Office of South Sulawesi Province, that the 20 foreign workers came as prospective foreign workers in order to test their ability to work on the National Strategic Project of PT Huady Nickel-Alloy Regency Bantaeng, South Sulawesi. This is indeed regulated in Presidential Regulation Number 109 of 2020 concerning the Third Amendment to Presidential Regulation Number 3 of 2016 concerning Acceleration of Implementation of National Strategic Projects.

"In attachment serial number 96, it is true that the Bantaeng Industrial Estate, South Sulawesi Province, is one of the National Strategic Projects contained in the Presidential Regulation," Chairul said in a written statement in Jakarta, Tuesday, July 6.

Currently, the Ministry of Manpower is coordinating with the Manpower Superintendent of the Manpower and Transmigration Office of South Sulawesi Province, who continues to collect data and monitor the presence of these prospective foreign workers to ensure that their presence is in accordance with regulations.

COVID-19. (UNPLUSH illustration)

Chairul further explained that the 20 suspected foreign workers were already in Indonesia before the Emergency PPKM was implemented and had undergone quarantine according to the applicable health protocols, and entered South Sulawesi Province on July 3, 2021 by following the health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. .

Regarding the policy of implementing the Emergency Community Activity Restriction (PPKM), Chairul stated that his party will continue to refer to the Government policies that have been set through the SE Chair of the COVID-19 Task Force, SE Menaker, as well as other instructions that regulate this matter.

“The government continues to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, but the economy continues to run through national strategic projects, as long as they bring broad benefits. Projects that involve fewer foreign workers for the technology transfer process absorb more domestic workers. Foreign workers are brought in by investors according to permits and health protocol provisions/procedures," he added.

Until now, the service process for using Foreign Workers (TKA) for new applications is still temporarily suspended. However, this is excluded for foreign workers who work on the National Strategic Project (PSN) and those strategic or national vital objects.

Based on Circular Letter (SE) Number M/3/HK.04/II/2021 concerning Services for the Use of Foreign Workers in Efforts to Prevent the entry of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the process of using foreign workers for new applications is still temporarily suspended.

"The temporary suspension as referred to in number 1 is exempted for foreign workers working for PSN and strategic/national vital objects based on considerations or special written permission from the relevant ministries/institutions," Chairul said as reported by Antara.

In accordance with SE Number M/3/HK.04/II/2021, employers can apply for the use of foreign workers for foreign workers who are still in the territory of Indonesia. This SE comes into effect on February 9, 2021 until the deadline determined by the COVID-19 Handling Task Force.

This is the explanation of the Ministry of Manpower regarding the entry of foreign workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.