Gov’t Restricts Migrant Workers from Business Operations in 25 Sectors

The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade has released a directive outlining 25 sectors where migrant workers are prohibited from owning or operating businesses.

This announcement, published in the government gazette on Thursday, lists the following areas:

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1. Retail Trade (including online businesses)
2. Wholesale trade (excluding trade of construction materials)
3. Domestic logistics work
4. Postal and courier Services
5. Food and beverage businesses (including cafes, restaurants and bakeries)
6. Rental businesses (including rental of heavy construction machinery)
7. Employment agency or recruitment services
8. Travel agencies, tour operators, reservation and related services
9. Landscaping
10. Public administration and work related to the National Defense Force
11. Tuition class and Quran class businesses
12. General clinics businesses
13. Repair of computers, electronics and household appliances
14. Programming and broadcasting businesses
15. Legal services
16. Photography and Videography
17. Development of picnic Islands
18. Taxi services
19. Making and selling souvenirs and handicrafts
20. Making rubber and plastic products
21. Making and selling tobacco products
22. Woodwork (excluding furniture)
23. Mininig and quarrying work
24. Mining of sand
25. Forestry

Migrant workers are reported to be independently involved in many of the listed business activities at present. The current administration has made it a priority to crack down on undocumented migrant workers and their economic activities.