VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Ministry of Manpower intends to reopen the placement program for Indonesian migrant workers, particularly to Taiwan, once the number of COVID-19 cases declines in Indonesia and at the placement destination.

"The government is very serious and continues to put in its best efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19. Alhamdulillah (Thank God), on May 9, the number continues to decline to 3,922 new COVID-19 cases. If we are able to continue to lower this number, then the placement of migrant workers in Taiwan can soon be reopened," Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah stated in Jakarta, Tuesday.

Minister Fauziyah spoke of having received a letter from Taiwan’s labor authorities on the plans to reopen placement programs for Indonesian migrant workers to the region on account of the fact that Indonesia's daily COVID-19 case count does not surpass five thousand for a week.

The requirements to reopen the placement of migrant workers to Taiwan were decided at a meeting organized by the Ministry of Manpower with Taiwan's manpower authorities and the Central Epidemic Command Center.

In a bid to expedite the placement program, Indonesia has also renewed its Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) to adapt to Taiwan's new normal, including applying stringent health protocols prior to the departure of migrant workers.

"If the requirements from Taiwan have been met, then the Ministry will soon inform the Taiwanese authorities as a basis to reopen the placement of migrant workers to Taiwan," Fauziyah remarked.

In preparations for reopening plans, the minister urged all concerned parties from the ministry, placement agency, and also the migrant worker placement association, to make preparations and act in line with the SOP.

Furthermore, Fauziyah ensured that firm actions will be taken against placement companies and overseas work training centers that failed to comply with the implemented standards. (Antaranews)