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Foreign workers' regulation to improve investment climate: Minister
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Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto (Antara/Wahyu Putro)
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residential Regulation No. 20/2018 on foreign workers aims to improve the investment climate, says Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto.
“Foreign workers, particularly those with expertise, come with investors and don’t just come to seek jobs,” said Airlangga in a statement on Wednesday.
Airlangga made the statement in response to criticism from lawmakers and workers’ organizations following the issuance of the regulation. Critics claim the regulation may result in a large inflow of foreign workers.
Airlangga said an improved investment climate would lure investors, thus creating more jobs.
Through the regulation, the government would facilitate foreign workers with expertise in obtaining work visas, the minister said.
The presence of foreign workers with certain expertise will also facilitate knowledge and technology transfer, he added.
The regulation extends the period of foreign workers’ stay to ensure they can complete their jobs before leaving the country. Airlangga said maintenance companies, for example, needed to employ foreign workers for at least six months.
“If their visa is only valid for three months, how can the factories operate without them?” he added.
However, the government will screen the foreign workers, Airlangga said, adding that the country also needed experts in digital economy to coach local start-ups. (bbn)
