The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag), has decided to revise the import regulations for goods sent by Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) and passengers' personal luggage. This decision is based on the results of a limited coordination meeting at the Ministerial Level for Economic Affairs which was held on Tuesday (16/4/2024).
"The Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs has decided to revise the rules for importing goods sent by Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) and personal belongings of passengers. "The results of the coordination meeting agreed that Minister of Trade Regulation 36/2023 in conjunction with 3/2024 will be revised, so not revoked," said Import Director Arif Sulistiyo," as reported by Kompas.com, some time ago.
According to Budi, the revision of the regulations on luggage from abroad will be completed as soon as possible. Later, the new policy can be implemented after the amendments to Minister of Trade Regulation 36 are issued which are currently being processed.
According to Budi, the revision of the regulations on luggage from abroad will cover 3 things. Namely, goods sent by PMI, personal belongings of passengers, as well as evaluation of regulations regarding restrictions on the import of goods which require recommendations or technical considerations from Ministries and Institutions.
He said that the revision and evaluation was carried out to provide convenience for PMI.
Previously, the rules for restricting goods brought in from abroad by PMI were regulated in Minister of Trade Regulation Number 36 of 2023 concerning Import Policies and Regulations, which had received protests from netizens, migrant workers and the Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Agency (BP2MI). This regulation caused protests because several items belonging to migrant workers were stuck at the port due to these restrictive regulations.
Head of BP2MI, Benny Rhamdani, said that this regulation was detrimental to migrant workers because they were suspected of sending goods to Indonesia for business, trade or jastip (deposit services). In fact, migrant workers generally send goods to Indonesia as souvenirs.
Following up on the revision of Minister of Trade Regulation Number 36 of 2023, Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan said that the status of migrant workers' goods stuck at Tanjung Emas and Tanjung Perak Ports would immediately be issued according to the delivery address. Currently, at least around 51-57 percent of goods entering the port are goods belonging to Indonesian migrant workers.
"As long as customs considers this item to belong to PMI, there is nothing prohibited, it's just been released, one day is done. "Why else would we have to be detained for so long at the port," said Zulkifli. [Source: Kompas.com]
