Tangerang fights against red tape for foreign workers<\/p>\n
Multa Fidrus, Tangerang<\/p>\n
The Tangerang regental manpower agency will file a judicial
\nreview at the Supreme Court to fight a ministerial decree
\nstripping it of the power to issue work permits to foreigners.<\/p>\n
Agency head Apon Suryana said on Wednesday the decree, which
\ntransferred the authority to the provincial government, was only
\ntying up foreign workers in more red tape. The decree came into
\neffect in May.<\/p>\n
\"Tangerang is not the only regency that will take legal action
\n-- many authorities consider the new policy is against the spirit
\nof regional autonomy as stipulated in Law No. 22\/1999 on regional
\nadministrations,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Decree No. 20\/2004 signed by Minister of Manpower and
\nTransmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea gives the provincial administration
\nthe power to issue permits to foreigners working in its
\njurisdiction and to foreign workers that cross into the regency's
\nterritory.<\/p>\n
The applicants first have to obtain a recommendation from the
\nregency administration where the company is located for the
\npermit.<\/p>\n
The regency's plan to fight the move has gained support from
\n200 industrial firms in the area that employ foreign workers.<\/p>\n
During a meeting at the administration's office in Tigaraksa
\non Wednesday, representatives of the companies said the new
\npolicy had posed numerous difficulties for the 699 foreign
\nworkers they employed.<\/p>\n
\"The businesspeople said the new decree had forced them to
\ntravel to the provincial capital and spend more on illegal fees,\"
\nApon said.<\/p>\n
Each worker is charged US$100 per month for a permit, a cost
\nthat is often picked up by their employers.<\/p>\n
Besides being complicated, the new policy also hindered the
\nregency administration from properly monitoring the foreign
\nworkers, he said.<\/p>\n
\"If foreigners fail to meet the deadlines to extend their
\npermits, they are now immediately deported to their home
\ncountries by the provincial administration. So far, my office is
\nstill checking on companies employing foreign workers and holding
\nroutine evaluations,\" Apon said.<\/p>\n
A. Nainggolan, a member of the Tangerang chapter of the
\nIndonesian Businessmen Association (APINDO) said he opposed the
\nministerial decree.<\/p>\n
\"The decree means the central government intends to rule out
\nregional autonomy and centralize the power once again.<\/p>\n
\"The government should not have a tight grip on minor
\nadministrative matters like work permits because regional
\nadministrations actually know more about the manpower and
\nindustries in their respective jurisdictions,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tangerang-fights-against-red-tape-for-foreign-workers-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}