There are Only 23,000 Chinese Workers in Indonesia, President Jokowi Says

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation     Date 8 Agustus 2018
Category: News
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President Jokowi delivers his remarks at the opening of the of the 12th Ulema Cadre Education (PKU) in Bogor, West Java Province, Wednesday (8/8). (Photo by: Public Relations Division/Anggun)

President Jokowi delivers his remarks at the opening of the of the 12th Ulema Cadre Education (PKU) in Bogor, West Java Province, Wednesday (8/8). (Photo by: Public Relations Division/Anggun)

In response to the rumor of 10 million Chinese workers in Indonesia, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said that there are only 23,000 Chinese workers working here.

Those workers, the President added, do not work permanently.

The President made the statement in his remarks at the opening of the 12th Ulema Cadre Education (PKU) in Bogor, West Java Province, Wednesday (8/8).

“Those workers install turbines. They build smelters. I’ve checked it myself. That’s because we are not ready yet to do, so those workers have to be here for 3-6 months to do those jobs,” the President said.

The President also mentioned that there are 80,000 Indonesian workers working in People’s Republic of China and 1.2 million workers in Malaysia.

In the meantime, President Jokowi said that when he met with Malaysian Prime Minister, they also talked about illegal Indonesian workers in Malaysia. “I talked to him frankly. This is what has happened for years and I have asked Mahathir to provide protection so everything can be clear,” the President said.

President Jokowi added that the number of legal Indonesian workers in Saudi Arabia is reportedly to reach 500,000, while the number of the illegal ones is reported to be more than that.

“Let’s take a look at the number of foreign workers in Indonesia and compare it with the country’s population. It is only 0.03%. It’s even less than one percent. We have to reveal the figure so we can stop the rumor,” the President said, adding that 80% of workers in the United Arab Emirates are foreign workers and 33% of workers in Saudi Arabia are foreign workers.

President Jokowi also stressed that the Government always tries to boost investment in the country with one of the aims to provide greater job opportunities for the people.

Also attending the event were Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko and Chairman of the United Development Party (PPP) Romahurmuzy. (DID/ES)(EP/Naster)

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