"It is better for them to return home to be reunited with their families rather than undergoing uncertain life overseas," Puan Maharani said.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani asked problematic Indonesian migrant workers in Saudi Arabia to return home after the Saudi government provided amnesty.
"It is better for them to return home to be reunited with their families rather than undergoing uncertain life overseas," the minister said.
Maharani made the remarks while visiting problematic Indonesian workers in Jeddah, according to a written statement received by Antara in Jakarta on Monday.
She was on a visit to Saudi Arabia in conjunction with the preparations for the Hajj pilgrimage. She took the opportunity to visit the camps of the Indonesian workers at the Consulate General of Indonesia in Jeddah.
"I am so upset to see our citizens in this place. Most of them are women. Some have been here for 26 years but are not paid over the past 20 years. Some have never had a chance to communicate with their families in Indonesia for so many years, "she stated.
The coordinating minister asked the problematic Indonesian workers to make use of the immigration and work violation amnesty program offered by the Saudi government, which will last from March 29 to June 29, 2017, to return to Indonesia.
Through the program, violators would not be liable to fine if they return home and would not be black listed too.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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