Stranger in a Strange Land

(4/6/2012)

Bisnis Bali reports that the head of Bali’s Manpower Department, Wayan Wiratha, said on Monday, April 4, 2012 that the large amount of foreign investment in Bali has caused a increase in the use of expatriate workers, prompting him to remind the public that all foreign workers in Bali are required under law to report to the Manpower office.

He went on to explain that there are now more than 1,300 foreigners working in Bali. Many of these positions are in Bali’s tourism sector. Companies wishing to employ foreign workers are required to present a proposal to the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration prior to hiring such individuals.

Continuing, Wiratha explained that companies must seek a recommendation to employ foreign nationals from either the regency or municipality or, when the foreigner’s position transcends regency borders, from the Bali Manpower Office. This recommendation to allow the recruitment of foreigners is then forwarded to the Minister of Manpower and Transmigration.

The next step in the process sees the Minister of Manpower and Transmigration issue a permit to employ a foreigner (IMTA). This permits is valid for only one year. The extension of IMTA is at the discretion of Bali’s governor. Foreigners granted an IMTA are obliged to make a US$100 per month contribution to a training fund, paid one year in advance.

Wayan Wiratha added that the data maintained by the Bali Manpower Office shows that 1,455 extensions for an IMTA are being handled with 86 new IMTAs currently under process. IMTAs being extended by regencies and municipalities total 607.