"Both governments have agreed to cooperate in solving this problem soon," Muhaimin said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government in cooperation with the Saudi Arabian government helped return 1,420 problematic migrant workers to Indonesia, a minister said.

"Both governments have agreed to cooperate in solving this problem soon. However, the return of the Indonesian migrant workers from Saudi Arabia must follow Saudi procedures and regulations," Manpower and Transmigration Minister Muhaimin Iskandar said here Wednesday.

Muhaimin and Indonesian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Gatot Abdullah Mansyur held a meeting here Tuesday evening (Jan 25) to discuss the question of problematic migrant workers staying under a Jidda bridge.

According to data from the Indonesian embassy in Riyadh and consulate general in Jidda, a total of 1,420 Indonesians had been sent home during the period of January 1-23, 2011.

The Indonesian consulate general in Jidda had helped provide them with travel documents in lieu of passports and medical check-up for those who needed it.

Forty four people had been transferred to King Abdul Azis Hospital for medical treatment until January 13.

Some he migrant workers, who finally became over-stayers, had run from their employers because they had felt of being treated unfairly, for instance their salaries had not been paid, or they had been sexually molested.

While some others had been cheated by a syndicate which had persuaded them to change employers at the risk of violating the Saudi immigration regulation.

Over four million Indonesians have become migrant workers (TKI) overseas particularly in Malaysia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait.

Twelve Islamic organizations including the largest Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah as well as smaller ones such as Al Irsyah Al Islamiyah, Al Washliyah, Al Ittihadiyah, Perti, Persis, Syarikat Islam Indonesia, PITI, Rabithah Alawiyin, Parmusi and Mathlaul Anwar conveyed their concern after holding a meeting at the NU head office in Jakarta, early December 2010.

"We expressed our deep concern over various tragedies that have befallen Indonesian female migrant workers in various countries," Suparwan Parikesit, the spokesman of the organizations, said when reading their statement of concern.
(T. A043/Uu.F001/HAJM/P003)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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