Tangerang fights against red tape for foreign workers

Tangerang fights against red tape for foreign workers

Multa Fidrus, Tangerang

The Tangerang regental manpower agency will file a judicial
review at the Supreme Court to fight a ministerial decree
stripping it of the power to issue work permits to foreigners.

Agency head Apon Suryana said on Wednesday the decree, which
transferred the authority to the provincial government, was only
tying up foreign workers in more red tape. The decree came into
effect in May.

"Tangerang is not the only regency that will take legal action
-- many authorities consider the new policy is against the spirit
of regional autonomy as stipulated in Law No. 22/1999 on regional
administrations," he said.

Decree No. 20/2004 signed by Minister of Manpower and
Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea gives the provincial administration
the power to issue permits to foreigners working in its
jurisdiction and to foreign workers that cross into the regency's
territory.

The applicants first have to obtain a recommendation from the
regency administration where the company is located for the
permit.

The regency's plan to fight the move has gained support from
200 industrial firms in the area that employ foreign workers.

During a meeting at the administration's office in Tigaraksa
on Wednesday, representatives of the companies said the new
policy had posed numerous difficulties for the 699 foreign
workers they employed.

"The businesspeople said the new decree had forced them to
travel to the provincial capital and spend more on illegal fees,"
Apon said.

Each worker is charged US$100 per month for a permit, a cost
that is often picked up by their employers.

Besides being complicated, the new policy also hindered the
regency administration from properly monitoring the foreign
workers, he said.

"If foreigners fail to meet the deadlines to extend their
permits, they are now immediately deported to their home
countries by the provincial administration. So far, my office is
still checking on companies employing foreign workers and holding
routine evaluations," Apon said.

A. Nainggolan, a member of the Tangerang chapter of the
Indonesian Businessmen Association (APINDO) said he opposed the
ministerial decree.

"The decree means the central government intends to rule out
regional autonomy and centralize the power once again.

"The government should not have a tight grip on minor
administrative matters like work permits because regional
administrations actually know more about the manpower and
industries in their respective jurisdictions," he said.