JAKARTA - 94 foreign workers were expelled from the Sei Mangkei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Simalungun, North Sumatra, after authorities found they lacked the required work permits, Indonesia’s Ministry of Manpower confirmed on 22 October.

The operation took place at the workers’ site on Jalan Kelapa Sawit II No. 1, Sei Mangkei, Bosar Maligas, with officials from the SEZ management witnessing the process.

The ministry's acting director general of supervision and occupational safety and health (K3), Ismail Pakaya said the expulsion was carried out because the individuals did not hold a validated Foreign Worker Utilization Plan (RPTKA), which is mandatory for all foreign employees in Indonesia.

“Those 94 foreign nationals were removed from the Simalungun work site as they failed to obtain RPTKA approval, as stipulated under Government Regulation No. 34 of 2021 and Ministerial Regulation No. 08 of 2021,” Ismail explained, as reported by Antara.

According to the head of the ministry's Public Relations Bureau Sunardi Manampiar Sinaga, the RPTKA serves as a formal authorisation required before any foreign citizen can legally work in the country.

He urged members of the public and employees to report any violations involving the hiring of foreign workers without proper documentation to local manpower offices or directly to the Ministry of Manpower.

“Public involvement plays a crucial role in enforcing labour regulations, including oversight of foreign employment,” Sunardi said, adding that the government relies on broad community support to ensure compliance.