DPR: Investment in Kepri Must Be Accompanied by Improving the Quality of Human Resources
Tanjungpinang (ANTARA) - Deputy Chair of the House of Representatives Commission IX, Nihayatul Wafiroh, stated that investment growth in Riau Islands Province (Kepri) must be accompanied by strengthening the capacity of local human resources so that they are not merely spectators but absorbed into the job market.
Wafiroh mentioned that based on information received from a working meeting of Commission IX with the Kepri Provincial Government, there are around 35 operating industrial zones in the border region, predominantly concentrated in Batam City.
“Kepri’s economic growth is also high above the national average, but has it been accompanied by human resource quality? This is a shared concern for Commission IX of the House of Representatives,” said Wafiroh during a working visit with members of Commission IX of the House of Representatives to Tanjungpinang City, Riau Islands (Kepri), on Thursday.
In addition, she highlighted the continuously increasing population in Kepri each year, which is not driven by birth rates but by migrants from other regions seeking employment, particularly in Batam.
Therefore, Wafiroh encouraged the Ministry of Manpower of the Republic of Indonesia, together with the Regional Government in Kepri, to enhance job training programmes so that workers in the area have the competencies or skills needed in the workforce.
“Do not let this population migration add to the unemployment burden in Kepri. This requires concrete solutions together,” she said.
Wafiroh also emphasised the presence of foreign workers (TKA) in several companies in Kepri, which must be thoroughly screened to occupy positions needed by the companies, not filling jobs that could be taken by local workers.
“Also ensure that TKA work officially because they have an obligation to pay levies to the government,” she said.
“The number of TKA in Kepri is inversely proportional to local workers because we prioritise the absorption of local workers for industrial zones,” said Dicky.
Nevertheless, Dicky highlighted that some TKA working in Kepri still use tourist visit visas but are used for work.
According to him, in accordance with the prevailing regulations, TKA working in Kepri must hold a Foreign Worker Utilisation Plan document (RPTKA) issued by the Ministry of Manpower.
With the RPTKA, the companies using TKA services are obliged to pay levy fees which are included in non-tax state revenue (PNBP).
“We hope through Commission IX of the House of Representatives to push to the centre so that the processing of RPTKA is completed more quickly, so there is no longer any excuse for TKA to complain about long and difficult processes,” said Dicky.