Indonesia Suspends Foreign Manpower Work Permit Applications During Covid-19 Outbreak

On April 8, 2020, Ida Fauziyah, the Indonesian Minister of Manpower ("MOM"), signed and issued Circular Letter No. M/4/HK.04/IV/2020 regarding Services for the Utilization of Foreign Workers in Relation to the Prevention of Covid-19 ("MOM CL 4/2020").

This new circular letter follows the issuance of Minister of Law and Human Rights Regulation No. 11 of 2020 regarding the Temporary Prohibition on Foreigners Entering Indonesia and the expiration of an earlier MOM circular letter concerning services for the utilization of foreign manpower from the People's Republic of China in order to prevent Covid-19.

Through MOM CL 4/2020, the Ministry of Manpower suspends all services for new applications related to the utilization and licensing of foreign workers. The circular letter stipulates exceptions for applications for (a) foreign nationals who will work on national strategic projects and (b) stay permit holders who are still residing in Indonesia.