Government to Implement Tax Relaxation for Migrant Workers' Goods
- VIVA/M Ali Wafa
Jakarta – Head of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Service and Protection Agency (BP2MI) Benny Rhamdani said that the government will implement the tax relaxation on shipping goods belonging to Indonesian migrant workers (PMI).
"The President agreed that there will be relaxation for goods belonging to PMI. For example, the tax value is relaxed, they will be given a relaxation of US$ 1,500 per year in three shipments of goods," Rhamdani said after attending a limited meeting chaired by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Thursday.
Rhamdany proposed a policy that specifically regulates goods belonging to PMI to avoid problems that occur in the field. Benny also assured that PMI-owned goods would not be used for business purposes.
"I have convinced the President and the ministers that if PMI brings used goods, the amount must be limited and not for business purposes. Not for sale except for family souvenirs."
In addition, Rhamdani said the meeting also discussed the exemption of the international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) of cellphones owned by PMI.
According to him, the government will waive the IMEI processing fee for cellphones owned by PMI when they arrive in Indonesia.
"The President agreed to exempt the IMEI of migrant workers' cellphones when they arrive in Indonesia. The obstacle for PMI arriving in Indonesia is dealing with the IMEI of cellphones that must be changed and the cost is very high," he said.
"Then, President also agreed specifically for PMI to exempt the IMEI of cellphones belonging to Indonesian migrant workers," he added.Â