Originally the Chinese, who were considered reliable and hardworking, had a recognized status, but after independence in 1945, difficulties in transferring technology to the new government sent the mining industry into a decline, and many of the Chinese lost their jobs, instead becoming farmers, general laborers, or fishermen. Subsequent anti-Chinese incidents made it even harder for them to build a career or better their economic station.
由於當時華工忠實勤奮，因此地位曾相當被重視；不過一九四五年印尼獨立，礦場的經營權從荷蘭人轉到印尼政府手上後，由於技術轉移發生困難，因此礦業一度走下坡，許多華工紛紛失業，只好轉行務農、做工、捕漁；而屢次的排華事件，也使得華人謀職、升遷不易，生活更難改善。