CANGGU, Bali — The rapid growth of tourism in Canggu has reportedly attracted a rising number of foreign workers, with several nightlife venues allegedly employing foreigners in entertainment-related roles, raising concerns among local residents over job competition and weak oversight.
The report, first published by NusaBali, stated that several foreign nationals were allegedly seen working at nightlife venues in the area as VIP guest hosts, entertainers, and disc jockeys (DJs). Residents claimed some of them may be using non-work visas despite engaging in commercial activities that legally require employment permits and proper stay documentation under Indonesian law.
“They only appear occasionally. Sometimes for VIP guests and bottle service. After that they stay behind the stage,” one resident said after visiting a nightlife venue on Jalan Pemelisan Agung in Tibubeneng Village on Sunday, May 10.
The resident, who requested anonymity, also alleged that some foreign nationals were involved in organizing parties and events without official permits to operate as event organizers in Indonesia, including in Badung Regency. The allegations have fueled concerns about the monitoring and regulation of foreign workers in Bali’s tourism hotspots.
“This is very worrying because local residents could eventually be pushed aside by the presence of these foreigners. We hope authorities will conduct inspections and tighten supervision,” the resident said.
Separately, Badung Manpower Agency official Ni Luh Putu Widyantari said oversight of foreign workers falls under provincial authority, although the agency still maintains employment data for the region.
“Foreign worker supervision is under the province. We only hold the total employment data. The estimate is around 3,000 foreign workers, but the official figures are still at the office,” she said.
North Kuta District Head Putu Eka Permana also stated that companies employing foreign workers rarely report directly to district authorities, despite repeated requests for better coordination.
“They never report to us. We’ve asked for reports to be submitted to the district office, but there has been no follow-up,” he said.
The allegations come amid growing scrutiny over foreign employment practices in Bali’s tourism industry, particularly in fast-growing entertainment hubs such as Canggu, where concerns over labor compliance and local employment opportunities continue to emerge.
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