Weighing in Latest Foreign Worker Regulations

The concern is getting intense over a surge in foreign workers following Government Regulation (PP) No. 34/2021 on the Use of Foreign Workers (TKA). Secretary-General of the All Indonesian Workers Organization (OPSI), Timboel Siregar, said the country sees more waves of incoming foreign workers and massive foreign direct investment following the issuance of Law No. 11/2020 on Job Creation.

"Investors want to employ workers from their countries. Investments in capital or loans are strongly tied to the use of foreign workers," Timboel said, citing that foreign workers increased along with waves of infrastructure project developments.

To prevent harm to local workers, Timboel asked the government to oversee the obligation to technology and skills transfers policy. "Training needs to be intensified to improve local workers' ability to occupy jobs that previously could only be done by foreign workers," he said.