Faisal Basri, a senior economist from the University of Indonesia (UI), said that more than 1,000 Chinese foreign workers (TKA) enter Indonesia every month. Chinese foreign workers’ arrival is for nickel projects in Central Sulawesi and Southeast Sulawesi.
“In just a month, more than 1,000 (Chinese foreign workers). Yes, perhaps Mr. Luhut (said) is 3,500 (people), but only those who have work permits. Most of the others didn’t use work permits, but use visit visas,” he said, quoted from Refly Harun’s YouTube Channel on Tuesday (July 27, 2021).
Previously, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, coordinating with Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, said that of the total 50,000 workers in the nickel industry in Morowali, 3,500 (of them) were China citizens, while the rest were local workers. However, he ensured that Chinese foreign workers in Indonesia would gradually decrease after a knowledge transfer was carried out.
As known, during PPKM Level 4’s implementation, Yasonna Laoly, as the Minister of Law and Human Rights (Menkumham) prohibited foreign workers from entering Indonesia.
This provision has been regulated in Permenkumham No.27/2021 concerning Restrictions on Foreigners Entering the Territory of Indonesia During the Enforcement of Emergency Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM). Through this policy, foreign workers who previously came to Indonesia as part of a national strategic project can no longer enter Indonesia.