Indonesia Delays Bringing 500 Workers from China
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6 May 2020 19:12 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Manpower postponed plans to bring in 500 foreign workers from China to Konawe, Southeast Sulawesi. The decision was taken after requests from the provincial government based on community objections.
The Governor of Southeast Sulawesi, the Chairperson of the Southeast Sulawesi Regional Legislative Assembly (DPRD), and the locals are concerned about the impact that could come from the arrival of foreign workers in the midst of a pandemic.
"We decided to postpone it as an effort to break the chain of Covid-19 transmission," Manpower Ministry's PR chief R. Soes Hindharno said yesterday.
The delay, he said, was in line with instructions from the Minister of Manpower Ida Fauziyah.
Two companies had planned to bring in Chinese workers: PT Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry and PT Obsidian Stainless Steel. They have reportedly agreed to the delay.
The entry of 500 foreign workers from China to Indonesia was previously mentioned by MPR Speaker Bambang Soesatyo at the end of April. Bambang asked the central government to postpone the planned arrival, arguing it contradicts the government's own policy to curb the spread of Covid-19.
KORAN TEMPO
