{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1804786,
        "msgid": "lawmaker-urges-government-to-ease-legal-work-access-for-indonesian-migrant-workers-1781527902",
        "date": "2026-06-15 18:49:55",
        "title": "Lawmaker Urges Government to Ease Legal Work Access for Indonesian Migrant Workers",
        "author": "",
        "source": "VIVA",
        "tags": "berita",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "A member of Indonesia's House of Representatives has called on the government to simplify legal migration pathways for Indonesian migrant workers, citing a sharp rise in non-procedural workers being detained at the Malaysia border. The legislator warns that restrictive access is pushing desperate job seekers into illegal and exploitative channels, with reports of two deaths per week among undocumented workers in Sarawak. He urges local governments to bring documentation services closer to border communities to reduce the burden and risk of illegal migration.",
        "content": "<p>The increasing number of non-procedural Indonesian migrant workers\n(PMI) being held at the Indonesia-Malaysia border has drawn attention\nfrom House of Representatives (DPR) Commission XIII member Franciscus\nSibarani of the Golkar Party. He views the trend as a serious alarm over\nthe lack of domestic employment opportunities and the difficulty of\naccessing legal migration channels. Based on direct visits to border\nareas, Franciscus noted that the number of residents whose departure is\ndelayed due to suspected plans to work in Malaysia without complete\ndocuments has continued to rise from 2024 into 2026. \u2018Immigration\nofficers have performed their supervisory duties very well. This delay\nis not merely an administrative rejection, but a real effort to protect\ncitizens from the threat of human trafficking and labour exploitation,\u2019\nFranciscus said in a statement on Monday, 15 June 2026. However, behind\nthe rising numbers, Franciscus sees a more fundamental problem. Malaysia\nremains an economic magnet for Indonesian job seekers, particularly in\nthe plantation, agriculture, construction, and service sectors, with\nmonthly wages ranging from 1,700 to 3,000 Malaysian Ringgit. \u2018This is\nalso an alarm that many people are still struggling to find work\ndomestically, so they are forced to seek a living abroad,\u2019 he said. He\ncautioned that rejection at official border posts does not simply stop\npeople\u2019s intentions. Many instead turn to unofficial routes, which\nsignificantly heightens the risk of human trafficking, people smuggling,\nand labour exploitation. The situation is worsened by the high death\nrate among undocumented Indonesian workers in Sarawak, which field\ninformation suggests averages around two per week. The majority lack\nwork visas and adequate legal protection, and often avoid healthcare\nfacilities for fear of document checks by Malaysian authorities. \u2018When\nlegal access is closed, some people choose illegal routes. This is where\nthe risk of human trafficking crimes grows and the reach of state\noversight weakens,\u2019 he stressed. Franciscus urged regional governments\nto play a more active role by bringing document processing services and\ninformation on legal employment closer to border communities. He cited\nthe example of residents near Entikong who must travel all the way to\nPontianak just to process legal work requirements, a burden that often\nbecomes the reason for choosing illegal routes.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/lawmaker-urges-government-to-ease-legal-work-access-for-indonesian-migrant-workers-1781527902",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}