Ministry of Manpower strengthens control of foreign workers in Batang

Batang (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Manpower (Kemnaker) continues to strengthen the control of foreign workers (TKA) employed in the Batang Special Economic Zone and other industries in Batang Regency, Central Java, as an effort to provide opportunities for local workers.

Coordinator for the Field of Eligibility Testing and Approval of Foreign Worker Employment Plans from the Directorate of Foreign Worker Usage Control at Kemnaker, Muhammad Ridho, in Batang on Tuesday, stated that the use of foreign workers in Indonesia is strictly limited and only permitted for specific needs.

“Foreign workers can only be employed for certain positions and periods and must have competencies in line with the requirements. They also must not replace local workers,” he said.

According to him, foreign workers who may be employed must have education appropriate to the position as well as at least five years of work experience.

In addition, he said, companies are also required to appoint Indonesian workers as mentors for knowledge transfer.

“For work exceeding six months, the Foreign Worker Employment Plan (RPTKA) is valid for up to two years and can be extended with the obligation to register the foreign workers in the national social security programme and appoint mentoring workers,” he said.

He stated that specifically for foreign workers employed in Special Economic Zones (KEK) such as the Batang Industropolis KEZ, the validity period of the Foreign Worker Employment Plan (RPTKA) can reach five years and can be extended.

Meanwhile, for certain institutions such as government agencies, international bodies, to social and religious institutions, the approval of RPTKA is granted with special provisions.