House Delivers Recommendation to Address Illegal Foreign Workers

"We urge the ministry to improve oversight," he said at the Ombudsman's office in Jakarta, Thursday, January 19, 2017.

According to Saleh, supervision against foreign labor is still weak, with less than 1,800 active supervisors monitoring more than 200,000 companies in Indonesia—excluding companies that exist through investments.  

Saleh said there are not enough regional immigration offices to monitor foreign workers. He said that of the 514 city and regencies in Indonesia, only 185 have their own immigration offices.

The House also urged the government to establish a task force to monitor illegal foreign workers. According to Saleh, The Law and Human Rights Ministry's Foreigners Supervisor Team has not worked optimally. He also said that the Coordinating Ministry for Politics, Law and Security Affairs' plan to establish an Alien Control Agency (BPOA) should be clarified.  

Saleh said the Commission is also urging the government to track down on illegal foreign workers who are abusing their holiday visas. He claimed there are 7,000 illegal foreign workers in Indonesia, but only some 350 people have been prosecuted. He also requested to reconsider the visa-free policy.

Saleh also added that foreign workers in Indonesia should be fluent in Indonesian and bring knowledge transfer.

Lastly, he urged the government to prioritize local workers when it comes to investment projects and added that illegal foreign workers will steal jobs from Indonesians and jeopardize the state's sovereignty.

DANANG FIRMANTO