Indigenous Papuans Employed by Merauke Pelni in the Labor-Intensive Ship Cleaning Program

PT Pelayaran Nasional Indonesia (Pelni) Merauke Branch employs five Papuan Orang Asli (OAP) in a labor-intensive ship cleaning program.

Head of PT Pelni Merauke Branch, I Komang Budiswastawan said, this labor-intensive program from the Ministry of Transportation was to empower small economic communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
"Every ship visits Yos Sudarso port, these five OAP will carry out a labor-intensive program to clean the ship after the passengers disembark," he told Tribun-Papua.com, Thursday (10/3/2022).

I Komang explained that the five OAPs were residents of Maro Village, Merauke. They have been working since January 2022.

"We asked for the data in the Maro Village Head, he appointed the residents," he said.
 
He admitted that currently the Pelni ship is being repaired (docking) in Ambon.

When the ship arrives in Merauke, the five OAPs will resume their duties.

I Komang assessed that the performance of the five OAPs was quite good and followed the applicable regulations.
 
Once worked, each OAP will be paid Rp. 200 thousand.

"We have been warned not to abuse our responsibilities. The condition of being ready to work is far from the influence of alcohol. The term must not disturb the orderliness of passengers and crew members of the ship, "said I Komang.

SOURCE: https://papua.tribunnews.com/2022/03/10/orang-asli-papua-diperkerjakan-pelni-merauke-dalam-program-padat-karya-pembesihan-kapal