Tax on migrant workers

Tax on migrant workers

From Media Indonesia

As a migrant worker in Brunei Darussalam I have followed with concern the developments in the situation at home. The monetary crisis, the U.S. dollar rate, the price increases and the riots. The most astounding was the increase of the fiskal (tax paid by Indonesian citizens when leaving the country) to Rp 1 million.

I return on home leave three or four times a year. When I returned from home leave for the third time in one year, I was compelled to pay the fiskal. As far as I know, Indonesian migrant workers are exempted from paying fiskal.

In this context, I would like to know about the protection, services and facilities in accordance with the regulations on migrant workers announced by the Ministry of Manpower (reference Dirjen Binapenta No.B 2859/BP/1995 dated Oct. 19, 1998). Also, I would like to ask about government regulation No. 46 dated Dec. 27, 1994 -- decree by finance minister No. 638/KMK.04/94 of Dec. 29, 1994 -- on fiskal exemption for migrant workers.

In the present economic crisis with a high unemployment rate, all I want is equitable treatment, services and facilities from the government apparatus.

It is also in this context that we need to give our attention to the fact that after the People's Power in the Philippines, that toppled Marcos, one of the factors saving the economy in that country is the great number of its workers abroad. Aquino said of them: "They are angels."

I appeal to the pertaining authorities to give some of their time to explain this fiskal matter.

CHRIS IRAWAN BAKTI

Brunei Darussalam