KSPI: 30-40 Percent Of Foreign Workers From Japan Positive For COVID-19

ILLUSTRATION/PIXABAY

JAKARTA - The Confederation of Indonesian Trade Unions (KSPI) said that many foreign workers (TKA) were confirmed positive for COVID-19. In fact, based on field data from 10 Japanese foreign workers, three to four people are said to have been confirmed to have COVID-19.

"It is confirmed from KSPI data and facts from 10 Japanese Foreign Workers in Japanese companies, three to four people have confirmed COVID-19. Very high, it means almost 30-40 percent," said KSPI President Said Iqbal in an online press conference, Thursday, July 15.

Many of these foreign workers, he continued, work in automotive and component companies, electronics and components, ceramics, textiles, garments, shoes, food, and even pharmaceuticals. Its distribution area includes Tangerang, Serang, Cilegon, DKI Jakarta, Bogor, Bekasi, Karawang, Purwakarta, Sidoarjo, Surabaya, and various other industrial areas.

Iqbal said Japanese foreign workers could still be exposed to COVID-19 even though they work in factories or companies that implement strict health protocols.

Therefore, he questioned the condition of workers from China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong who work in companies, factories and mines where the implementation of health protocols is weak.

"Especially if it's nickel mining in Morowali, thousands of which come from Chinese foreign workers," said Iqbal.

For this reason, KSPI asked Indonesia to close entry access for foreign workers. "For whatever reason, it is better not to enter, especially foreign workers from China. For whatever reason," he said.

"Indonesian people are no longer allowed to enter several countries, so we allow all countries to enter freely, even with health protocols," Iqbal added.

Previously reported, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan as the coordinator of Emergency PPKM asked the public to understand that the government cannot prohibit all foreigners from entering Indonesia. This, said Luhut, also applies in other countries.

"Actually, there's nothing strange. If someone talks nonsense, doesn't understand the problem, don't speak too quickly. We must treat it the same as what the other world does, we have to do that. Being a state, you can't want it, I can't I want to. I can't do that," said Luhut in a virtual press conference, Tuesday, July 6.

Therefore, the government has issued rules regarding the requirements and protocols for Indonesian and foreign travelers who come from abroad through the Task Force Circular Letter Number 8 of 2021 and the Task Force SE Addendum Number 8 of 2021.

According to the regulation, Indonesian citizens are allowed to enter Indonesia. Meanwhile, foreigners are generally prohibited from entering Indonesia, except for those holding KITAP/KITAS, through a bilateral travel corridor arrangement (TCA) agreement, and obtaining special permission in writing from the ministry/institution.

In addition, during the emergency PPKM, Indonesian entry procedures were also tightened. All travelers entering the country must have a certificate or two-dose vaccination card.

Furthermore, every traveler who enters Indonesia is still required to show a negative result of the RT PCR test and undergo quarantine for 8x24 hours.

Furthermore, on the seventh day of quarantine, Indonesian citizens and foreigners again underwent RT PCR retest. If the test results are negative, then they can be declared complete quarantine.

"We carry out this procedure and apply it everywhere in the world. Depending on the country, some are 8 days, 14 days, some are 21 days. We see from the results of studies from countries that we think are quite good, we give 8 days," he said.