President wants simplification for foreign workers permit

Jakarta (Antaranews Bali) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) wants the foreign workers permit which is until now still complicated will immediately be simplified.

It is realized that until now so many things related to foreign workers permit are still convoluted, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung quoted the president as saying here on Wednesday after a limited cabinet meeting presided over by President Jokowi.

"And the president has instructed the related ministries, Minister of Law and Human Rights, Manpower Minister, Trade Minister, Industry Minister, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, and Energy Minister to simplify (the working permit)," Pramono said, adding that the working permit simplification should be prepared within two weeks.

According to Pramono, if it is not immediately resolved, a Presidential Regulation (Perpres) will be issued to regulate it.

"Because we should not complicate the investment, nor people who want to come to work in this republic," he remarked.

However, he further said, the foreign workers in question are those who have the knowledge and the capacity and also needed in Indonesia, instead of the foreign field workers.

This effort is to boost the "ease of doing business" in Indonesia to be more competitive even though Indonesia`s investment grade has improved, he added. (WDY)