"We do not let off mafia syndicates that have been taking dirty profits by trafficking people," Head of BP2MI Benny Rhamdani said in the commemoration of International Migrants Day on Sunday.
He emphasized that BP2MI requires assistance from all parties relevant to the implementation of Law No.21 of 2007 and Presidential Regulation No. 22 of 2021 concerning the Eradication of Human Trafficking.
Based on the BP2MI record, he mentioned that there were at least 1,500 Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) who had died, and 3,200 suffered illness and depression in the last two years.
Approximately 81 thousand Indonesian migrant workers were deported from placement countries, most of whom were trafficking victims, due to illegally seeking work abroad.
Rhamdani said BP2MI is in charge of ensuring illegal migrant workers return home and to their families safely.
"If they work abroad legally, they are protected by state through the constitutional right (stipulated on) Article 27 of the 1945 Constitution which will provide protection and ease of facilities," he said.
Meanwhile, on December 14, BP2MI inaugurated three special facilities for Indonesian migrant workers at five airports, which are Ahmad Yani in Central Java, Juanda in East Java, Lombok in East Nusa Tenggara, Kualanamu in North Sumatra, and I Gusti Ngurah Rai in Bali.
Rhamdani inaugurated the facilities simultaneously from Juanda International Airport in East Java. The three facilities are a lounge, a help desk, and a special line at Immigration for PMIs. He said the facilities were a manifestation of the government's respect and service to migrant workers who were deemed as foreign exchange contributors.
"The VVIP facilities provided at the five airports are a manifestation of the government's support. In addition, this is a form of respect and service to the migrant workers who are 'foreign exchange heroes' who have been willing to sacrifice for their welfare and family," he explained.
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Translator: Luthfia P, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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