**Story of the Sea Fence Foreman, Securing Projects from the Village Head**
In a remote village in Tangerang, a foreman, whose identity remains anonymous, shared his firsthand experience working on a massive sea fence project. This foreman revealed that he was personally appointed by a local village head to oversee the construction of a 20-hectare sea fence, stretching a total of 30.16 km.
### **Challenges of the Job**
The foreman, entrusted with a team of 10 workers, disclosed that all employees received a weekly wage of approximately 5 million rupiahs, evenly distributed among them. Despite diligently carrying out his duties, the foreman expressed his ignorance regarding the company backing the sea fence project. He only received instructions to refer to the entity as ‘owned by a PT’ if questioned or protested.
### **Unpaid Labor Woes**
Regrettably, the foreman revealed that he did not receive compensation for his role as a foreman upon completing the project. Despite seeking payment from the village head, who served as the project coordinator, no resolution was reached. Frustrated by the lack of payment, the foreman eventually resigned from his position. He recounted, “After finishing my work, I wasn’t paid for my labor for a month and ten days. I inquired and was informed that the PT had already been paid, so I decided to step down.”
### **Personal Sacrifices and Fear of Repercussions**
Reflecting on the challenging experience, the foreman, who also previously served as a neighborhood chief, admitted his lack of knowledge regarding property ownership certificates in the sea fence area. When questioned about the involvement of PT Intan Agung Makmur and PT Cahaya Inti Sentosa, entities mentioned by the Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) Nusron Wahid, the foreman professed his ignorance. He expressed fear of legal consequences if he misspoke, emphasizing his desire to avoid spreading misinformation and potentially facing legal repercussions.
In a candid conclusion, the foreman emphasized his reluctance to engage with the complexities of property transactions, aiming to steer clear of legal entanglements. His story sheds light on the challenges faced by laborers in the construction industry, highlighting the importance of fair compensation and transparency in project dealings.
