Page 155 - e-KLIPING KETENAGAKERJAAN 8 SEPTEMBER 2020

itself is expected to be finished by November this year, with operations slated to begin by January
2021.
"Without those Chinese workers, the construction process will be hampered," Santoni said.

Previously, the arrival of hundreds of Chinese workers in the country despite travel restrictions
due to the COVID-19 pandemic drew backlash , with much of the public concerned about local
employment opportunities possibly being taken by foreign nationals, in addition to concerns over
possible virus transmission.

However, Santoni said the company mostly comprised locals with more than 3,000 Indonesian
workers. "The majority of our employees are Bintan residents," he said.

Bintan Manpower Agency head Indra Hidayat also defended the arrival of the Chinese workers,
saying that they were construction experts needed for the company.
"They are contracted for six months to finish the project by PT BAI. They will be sent home right
away after the project is finished," Indra said.

He explained that the Chinese workers had obtained temporary stay permits (KITAS) and work
permits (IMTA) and tested negative in COVID-19 swab tests.

After arriving in Bintan regency through Raja Haji Fisabilillah International Airport in Tanjung
Pinang, Riau Islands, the Chinese workers underwent 14-day quarantine under strict monitoring
from the COVID-19 task force, he added.

Previously, residents of South Konawe regency in Southeast Sulawesi staged protests in June
over the employment of 500 Chinese workers in nickel smelter projects in the region amid a
trend of mass layoffs due the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah defended the employment of foreign workers ,
saying it was only allowed for national strategic projects requiring technologies that local workers
had yet to master. (trn).

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