VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The arrival of 500 foreign workers in South East Sulawesi's Konawe district will lead to the creation of 5,000 local jobs, Minister of Manpower, Ida Fauziyah, said, defending the decision to allow entry to the workers.

"There are 500 foreign workers scheduled to arrive (in Konawe). With them operating the developed company (that has hired them), then they (the company) can absorb 5,000 local workers, not 5,000 foreign workers," she said in between a meeting with the House of Representatives' Commission IX, as per a statement received here on Wednesday.

Fauziyah further said the company had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Konawe district government on the recruitment of thousands of local workers, which will be carried out gradually.

The number of foreign workers being brought in by the company has also been communicated with the Regional Leadership Communications Forum (Forkopimda), and local governments in South East Sulawesi, including the district and city administrations.

"Of course we also have to ensure the region's readiness and conditions. After everything is prepared, the Foreign Workers Use Plan (RPTKA) will be issued. Once again, we stress that the permit (for the workers’ entry) was issued as there was a commitment (by the company) to employ 5,000 local workers," she added.

In the midst of the impact felt in the employment sector due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the minister said, she hoped the absorption of thousands of workers could be a solution to generate more jobs.

She said the government is ensuring the foreign workers being brought in have certain skills, are needed by the company, and would be in Indonesia for a certain period of time.

In addition, she also highlighted that there will be a transfer of knowledge from the foreign workers to Indonesian workers, who will carry out operations once they have mastered the technology.