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He said the workers were employed to help build a coal-fired steam power plant and bauxite
smelters in Bintan using their expertise. The project is expected to be finished by November of
this year, with operations slated to begin by January 2021.

“Without those Chinese workers, the construction process would be hampered,” Santoni said.

Previously, the arrival of Chinese workers in the country despite COVID-19 travel restrictions
elicited backlash, with members of the public expressing concern about local employment
opportunities being taken by foreign nationals, in addition to concerns over possible virus
transmission.

However, Santoni said the company consisted mostly of locals, employing more than 3,000
Indonesian workers.

“The majority of our employees are Bintan residents,” he said.
Bintan Manpower Agency head Indra Hidayat 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 had 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 a 14-day quarantine under strict
monitoring by the COVID-19 task force, he added.

In June, residents of South Konawe regency in Southeast Sulawesi protested the employment of
500 Chinese workers in nickel smelter projects in the region amid a trend of mass layoffs during
the COVID-19 pandemic.
Manpower Minister Ida Fauziah defended the employment of foreign workers, saying it was only
allowed for national strategic projects requiring technologies that local workers had yet to
master.

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