Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Head of the National Agency for Protection and Placement of Indonesian Migrant Workers Overseas (BNP2TKI) Jumhur Hidayat said the establishment of a crisis center was not a reaction to Ruyati`s beheading in Saudi Arabia.

"This migrant workers crisis center has been prepared since long ago. It has been planned in accordance with the National Middle Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2010 - 2014," he said at the official opening of the center here on Monday.

During the function which was attended by Manpower Minister Muhaimin Iskandar, Jumhur said that the crisis center was set up to receive complaints from Indonesian migrant workers, or their family members, who faced problems overseas. With the center, complaints would be handled immediately.

He said that the handling of complaints had been very slow as they have to start from the village to the police, subdistrict, district, city up to Jakarta.

In the meantime, Manpower and Transmigration Minister Muhaimin Iskandar opened the crisis center which was fully dedicated to helping Indonesian workers in trouble abroad.

"The Crisis Center with a call center facility is part of the government`s commitment to giving the best possible service to migrant workers, their families and the people. All complaints will be responded to and handled by the center," the minister said at a ceremony marking the center`s inauguration.

Muhaimin expressed hope that the newly established center would help solve migrant workers` problems faster in the future. He said the call center named "Halo TKI" would operate 24 hours and seven days a week with the number 0800-1000 for domestic calls and +622129244800 from abroad.

Jumhur Hidayat, said the call center numbers will be active by July 1 and they are toll free for callers using both telephone and cellular phones.

Apart from giving service through phone, the call center also provides line for complaints through SMS at the number 7266 with the format type ACA#TKI#NAME#CASE or fax to (021) 7981205. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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