Foreign workers nabbed in Maluku

AMBON, Maluku: At least 3,749 Thai, Taiwanese and Chinese nationals employed by five fishery companies in Southeast Maluku are being investigated by the local manpower office for not having work permits, a violation of Law No 3/1958.

"They were found working for five fishery companies, four with branch offices in Tual, capital of Southeast Maluku, and another in Benjuna, Aru subdistrict," head of the local manpower office, J. Matatula, told Antara in Tual on Wednesday.

The five companies were identified as PT PR (1,370 workers), PT AKS (470 workers), PT PBP (453 workers), PT NMN (185 workers) and PT DGS (1,271 workers).

The foreigners have been working in Maluku between 10 and 24 months, he said.

"As a result, the state has to sustain losses worth US$6.09 million because pursuant to Law No 3/1958, a company employing a foreign worker is obliged to pay to the government $100 per month as a contribution to the Vocational Training Fund," he said.