KSP Chief Moeldoko noted in a press release that the protocol aims to smoothen and expedite the process of repatriating PMIs from placement countries to ports in Indonesia.
"Currently, there is still a gap in the regulation for the repatriation of PMIs who encounter problems, causing their returning process to take a long time," Moeldoko stated while chairing a decision-making meeting related to the protocol.
He cited as an example the repatriation of Indonesian migrant workers, who were victims of an apartment fire in South Korea.
At that time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had difficulty issuing a budget to repatriate migrant workers, as the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI), as the executor of the placement, was not given the authority to handle them before they arrived at domestic debarkation ports.
"Eventually, the Foreign Ministry can repatriate them, but that is after we held a few meetings. However, if later, there are PMIs who encounter problems, we still have to hold coordination meetings first before sending them home," he remarked.
Moeldoko noted that the protocol will offer greater flexibility to the government to protect migrant workers abroad.
Moeldoko stated that the protocol for the repatriation of problematic migrant workers would complement the existing regulation, namely the Roadmap for Repatriation and Empowerment of Problematic Indonesian Workers and BP2MI Regulation No. 03 of 2019 including its amendments.
The government can repatriate migrant workers during an emergency and the occurrence of natural disasters, plagues, pandemics, wars, and large-scale deportations, as well as when placement countries no longer guarantee their safety.
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Translator: Rangga J, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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