Chairman of Committee III of the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI), Filep Wamafma, emphasized that the special autonomy policy requires regional governments and companies to prioritize native Papuan workers in all recruitment efforts.
The composition of the indigenous Papuan (OAP) workforce, as mandated by Law Number 2 of 2021, which was then translated into regional regulations, is 80 percent indigenous Papuans and 20 percent non-indigenous Papuans.
"The affirmative action policy for Indigenous Papuan workers is stipulated in West Papua Regional Regulation Number 6 of 2022 concerning Employment Management. Its composition is clear," Filep said in Manokwari, West Papua, on Saturday.
He hopes that local governments and companies, especially in the natural resource management (SDA) sector, will collaborate to prepare a competent OAP workforce so they can compete at all levels.
Large-scale companies must open up fair recruitment opportunities and consistently place OAP workers in organizational structures according to their respective competencies.
"This is a mutual program for the welfare of the community, while also meeting industrial needs by prioritizing local labor," he said.
According to him, every management of natural resources in West Papua must contribute to regional development, while also reducing unemployment rates as regulated in Article 22 of Regional Regulation Number 6.
The existence of oil and gas (migas) management companies such as BP LNG Tangguh in Teluk Bintuni Regency should implement regulatory mandates in the recruitment of OAP workers.
"If the indigenous Papuan workforce is not absorbed, high unemployment, extreme poverty, and stunting will continue to plague future generations," said Filep.
