Investors told to employ local staff

SLEMAN, Yogyakarta: The head of the Yogyakarta branch of the Indonesian Furniture Association (Asmindo) said here on Saturday that foreign investors here should recruit more local workers.

"There are more and more foreign investors opening up businesses here but they, especially furniture businesspeople, prefer to hire workers from other regions like Jepara, Central Java," Ambarphola said, referring to the center of wooden furniture production.

As for Sleman regency, Ambarpolah said, the investors only use it for offices or warehouses.

"If the workers are not qualified enough, place them according to their ability or educate them," he added, as quoted by Antara.

Asmindo Yogyakarta urged the government to only issue business permits for investors if they agreed to recruit local workers.

Ambarpolah alleged that many foreign investors married Indonesians temporarily based on a contract in order to get business permits. (09)