Govt gives aid for illegals<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The central government has started disbursing financial aid to
\nregional administrations to help illegal Indonesian workers
\nreturn home.<\/p>\n
In Surabaya, East Java, Secretary-General of the Ministry of
\nSocial Affairs Ruchadi handed over Rp 250 million (US$27,700) to
\nVice Governor Imam Supardi on Friday to ensure the workers return
\nto their families, Antara reported.<\/p>\n
In Nunukan, East Kalimantan, the central government has
\nreportedly delivered Rp 350 million out of the planned Rp 1.35
\nbillion aid to the local administration to deal with returning
\nillegal workers.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, in Batam, Riau, about 18,000 illegal workers have
\nreturned to their home provinces after stopping on the island,
\nwhich is considered the safest place to transit from Malaysia.<\/p>\n
In Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, at least 1,000 illegal workers
\nfrom the province have been sent home from Nunukan aboard a Navy
\nvessel.<\/p>\n
Rochadi told Vice Governor Imam on Friday that the money
\nshould be given to workers who could not afford to return home.<\/p>\n
\"Those who have already reached home will not be given any
\naid,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla said
\nearlier the government had earmarked Rp 30 billion to deal with
\nthe returning migrant workers.<\/p>\n
Rochadi added the workers could return to Malaysia as long as
\nthey had legal immigration documents and the appropriate skills
\nto work there.<\/p>\n
About 480,000 illegal Indonesian workers had to return home
\nafter Malaysia implemented strict new immigration legislation on
\nAug. 1. Illegal immigrants there now face the cane, a fine or a
\njail sentence.<\/p>\n
The government set up a task force on Monday consisting of
\nvarious ministries to cope with problems linked to illegal
\nworkers returning from Malaysia.<\/p>\n
Although the move is seemingly overdue, it could help reduce
\nthe hardship being faced by illegal workers because at least they
\ncould return home free of charge.<\/p>\n
Separately, Minister Jusuf Kalla admitted here on Friday the
\ngovernment had to reorganize its policy on overseas worker
\naffairs.<\/p>\n
\"There is a positive side to the return of illegal workers. We
\nmust improve the procedures involved in sending workers
\noverseas,\" he was quoted by Antara as saying after attending a
\nsession at the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).<\/p>\n
He didn't provide any details.<\/p>\n
According to him, he had coordinated with Minister of Manpower
\nand Transmigration Jacob Nuwa Wea to improve policy regarding
\noverseas workers.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has failed to lobby Malaysia to ensure that illegal
\nIndonesian workers can legally return to Malaysia.<\/p>\n
It has also fallen short of asking Malaysia to extend the
\nperiod for illegal workers to return home by one month.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Minister Jacob added the government should give
\nmore attention and protection to Indonesian workers overseas, not
\nonly in Malaysia.<\/p>\n
\"We shouldn't have to wait until the number reaches thousands
\nof workers. Any single Indonesian citizen overseas must be
\nprotected,\" he added.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-gives-aid-for-illegals-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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