The local workforce in tourism is receiving a major boost in Bali as a new policy requires businesses to employ at least 90% local workers in the sector. This initiative aims to strengthen the regional economy, protect local culture, and provide more job opportunities for Balinese residents.
House Speaker Puan Maharani has voiced her strong support for the regulation, emphasizing its potential to enhance local prosperity and set a precedent for other tourism-driven regions in Indonesia.
Bali’s Local Workforce Policy: A Game Changer
With 90% of workers being local, the Bali Provincial Government aims to strengthen employment opportunities and prevent foreign businesses from dominating the sector. This regulation also ties local workforce quotas to business licensing, ensuring compliance from tourism-related enterprises.
Similar policies have been adopted in other regions of Indonesia. For example, the Mandailing Natal Regency and Jember Regency require companies to prioritize local workers in hiring processes. These regulations aim to increase employment rates and promote regional economic growth. However, in areas without such local mandates, businesses are not legally required to prioritize local hires.
Bali Governor I Wayan Koster has reinforced the government’s commitment to protecting local interests. He has warned businesses to adhere to regulations and emphasized that non-compliance could result in severe penalties.
Puan’s Support for Local Workforce in Tourism
House Speaker Puan Maharani has praised the 90% local workforce policy, stating that it will help ensure that Bali’s tourism industry benefits its own people. She emphasized that tourism should serve as a driver of economic growth for locals, rather than benefiting foreign businesses at their expense.
“With this policy, we want to see that the people of Bali truly benefit from their own tourism sector. Tourism should not only bring in revenue for businesses but also create sustainable economic opportunities for local communities,” Puan stated, as reported by Merdeka.com.
She also highlighted how this initiative could serve as a model for other tourism-rich regions in Indonesia. By prioritizing local employment, the country can strengthen its workforce and support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that rely on tourism-driven revenue.
Impact on Bali’s Tourism Industry
The new policy is expected to reshape Bali’s tourism industry. Business owners will need to adjust their hiring practices to comply with the local workforce requirement. This may present challenges, particularly if there is a shortage of skilled workers in specific roles. However, the government plans to address this by enhancing training programs and upskilling local workers.
For businesses, adapting to these changes will require investment in workforce development. Yet, the long-term benefits could be significant, as a more inclusive and locally driven tourism sector fosters economic resilience and social stability.
According to Puan, this policy is also an opportunity to elevate service quality by ensuring workers are well-trained and deeply familiar with Balinese culture and hospitality traditions.
Ensuring Sustainable Tourism Workforce Development
For the 90% local workforce policy to succeed, education and skills training must be prioritized. The government and tourism industry stakeholders need to collaborate on training initiatives that equip local workers with the necessary expertise.
Puan has emphasized the importance of sustainable employment, urging the government to implement structured workforce programs.
“Beyond implementing regulations, we must also support local workers with training programs that enhance their skills, ensuring they can compete in the evolving tourism industry,” she stated.
Additionally, businesses will play a critical role in ensuring workforce sustainability. Investing in staff development will not only help meet regulatory requirements but also improve overall service quality and customer experience.
Future Outlook: Will Other Regions Follow?
Bali’s bold move to prioritize local workers could influence other tourism-heavy provinces in Indonesia to adopt similar regulations. Ensuring that regional economies benefit from tourism revenue is a growing priority for policymakers.
Puan has expressed hope that this approach will inspire other provinces to develop inclusive workforce policies that prioritize local employment while maintaining high industry standards.
“This policy is a step in the right direction. We hope to see more regions prioritizing their local workforce, ensuring that economic growth benefits the people who contribute to it the most,” she concluded.
As Bali enforces its 90% local workforce regulation, its success will likely shape the future of Indonesia’s tourism employment policies.
Source: merdeka.com, hukumonline.com
Image: thetraveltemple.com.au
