Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, has welcomed 32 Indonesian migrant workers and briefed them on the local rules and customs.

"This is to provide protection to migrant workers, who have just arrived in Saudi Arabia," Indonesian Consul General in Jeddah Mohamad Hery Saripudin noted in a press release received by Antara here on Tuesday.

The briefing held in the Welcoming Program aimed to record immigrant workers and introduce them to Saudi habits or customs, locals` characters, work culture, and laws applied in the country.

Of the 32 male and female migrant workers, five are nurses recruited by the Abeer Group. Meanwhile, the other workers will work at the Grand Mosque, Mecca, and the Prophet`s Mosque, Medina, as janitors.

On the occasion, migrant workers from various regions in Indonesia were urged to be on their best behavior in the host country where its people have cultures, habits, and laws that are different from those in Indonesia.

Saripudin noted that protection should begin from oneself by having complete legal documents and respecting Saudi`s customs and the laws, among others.

Meanwhile, Coordinator of Citizen Protection Safaat Ghofur noted that every person should avoid being along with the opposite sex, who is not the husband or family members, as it is a violation of the law in Saudi Arabia that can result in caning and imprisonment.

"Several Indonesians are in prison for immorality or inappropriate behavior," Safaat pointed out.

Head of the Chancellor of the Consulate Rahmat Aming also reminded the workers to not take photographs arbitrarily.

"Never take a photo of a woman although she is wearing a veil at vital places where there is a sign of prohibition to take photographs or record. You can be imprisoned," Aming cautioned.

He said workers can voice their problems by contacting a call center and social media of the Indonesian Consulate General or if possible could go directly to the Consulate General.

Consul of Manpower Mochamad Yusuf reminded the workers to not sign any documents if they did not understand the content and did not sign a new contract.

"You can immediately report to the Consulate General if the companies do not pay you according to the amount stated in the Work Agreement," he stated.

Yusuf also requested the workers to work seriously until the end of the contract, unless there is an urgent situation, such as abuse by the company or violation of the contract by the company.

Editing Libertina WA, Yoseph Hariyadi

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Andi Abdussalam
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