"In the 2020-2022 period, National Human Rights Commission received 257 complaints related to Indonesian Migrant Workers," Human Rights Promotion Sub-Commission Coordinator at National Human Rights Commission Anis Hidayah said on Sunday.
Among the reported complaints are closely related to workers' rights, including unpaid wages, and insurance claims, he said.
There are also issues on the repatriation of migrant workers, such as complaints about difficulties in returning bodies, loss of contact, and allegations of employers taking the workers hostage.
Moreover, there are complaints related to requests for protection and legal assistance, such as criminalization, rape victims who face the law, and detention in destination countries.
Throughout the pandemic, thousands of migrant workers became victims of human trafficking from a scam in Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and the Philippines.
"According to the National Human Rights Commission's data, the Indonesian Migrant Worker Placement Company (P3MI) is the most highly complained," Hidayah highlighted.
Therefore, the commission recommends that the government integrate human rights guarantees into issued and implemented policies.
"Also adopting the principles of Business and Human Rights to Indonesian Migrant Worker Placement Companies (P3MI), as well as agencies abroad for their responsibility to respect the human rights of Indonesian migrant workers," he continued.
The commission also recommends that the government regulate, guarantee, and implement the right to legal assistance for migrant workers, which is part of the right to get justice in the judicial process.
"The commemoration of the 32nd Migrant Worker's Day this year is important for the Indonesian government, which is a sending country, to reflect upon the protection of those who are often called foreign exchange heroes," he concluded.
Translator: Putu Indah S, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
